We Are Many (2014)

We Are Many is a documentary film which premiered in 2014. The topic is a demonstration (the world’s first global demonstration) which took place on 15 February 2003. The purpose of the demonstration was to stop the war against Iraq. Here is some basic information about this film:

** Writer and director: Amir Amirani

** Available via Amazon Prime Video since 2015

** Released on DVD in 2016

** Run time: 110 minutes

Many persons from all over the world are interviewed in the film. I will not mention the names here, because the list is far too long.

Most of the persons who are interviewed are demonstrators from many different countries. Obviously, they are very positive when they talk about this event. But there are also interviews with some persons from “the other side,” from the establishment. It is very interesting to hear what they have to say about this event. Some of their statements may surprise you.

Archive footage is used between the talking heads. Archive footage is used to illustrate historical events and to show us old clips and old interviews with public figures.

The demonstration was a big success and a total failure. Why?

** It was a big success, because millions of people from more than 600 cities in more than 60 countries marched to express their view and their voice. To be heard and seen. It was an impressive manifestation.

** It was a total failure, because the leaders of the US and the UK (President Bush and Prime Minister Blair) ignored the global demonstration and started the war against Iraq anyway.

The demonstration which took place on 15 February 2003 is not the only topic that is covered in this film:

There is a long and detailed section about the time before the demonstration: two years from 2001 to 2003.

There is a long and detailed section about the time after the demonstration: ten years from 2003 to 2013.

What do reviewers say about this film? Here are the results of three review aggregators:

68 per cent = IMDb

70 per cent = Meta

77 per cent = Rotten Tomatoes (the critics)

65 per cent = Rotten Tomatoes (the audience)

On Amazon UK there are at the moment 20 reviews of this product. The average rating is 4.9 stars.

The first three ratings are good, but not great. The rating on Amazon UK is higher than what we have on IMDb, Meta and Rotten Tomatoes. In this case I have to go with the rating on Amazon UK.

We Are Many is a fascinating film about an important event which is placed in a historical and political context. I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five starts.

PS # 1. Towards the end of the film, some Egyptians claim that there is a direct line from the global demonstration of February 2003 to the large demonstration in Cairo which forced President Mubarak to retire in 2011. I think they are stretching the evidence too far, but they really seem to believe in this interpretation.

PS # 2. Here are some similar items:

** Why We Fight (2005)

** The Ground Truth (2006)

** Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers (2006)

** No End in Sight (2007)

** Imminent Threat (2015)

** Official Secrets (2019)

*****

*****