Part 5 is a
history lesson. Iraq after all was the cradle of Western civilization.
Zainab Baharani is an art historian at Columbia University who was born
in Baghdad. With her we retrace the famous civilizations of the
Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians. Her colleague historian Victoria
de Grazia relates the events that shaped the history of today's Iraq,
such as World War I, and the fall of the Ottoman Empire. NYU Middle
East expert Timothy Mitchell and investigative reporter Greg Palast
examine more recent events such as the Iran-Iraq war, the relationship
of the Reagan and Bush Administrations with Saddam Hussein, and the
events leading up to the first Gulf War.
That war was
followed by sanctions against Iraq imposed by the UN and enforced by
the US and the United Kingdom with aerial bombardments. The sanctions
resulted in the deaths of a half million Iraqi children and a public
health disaster due in part to the use of depleted uranium during the
war. Also destroyed in large part was Iraq's infrastructure, as well as
its architectural and artistic heritage.
Amongst those
featured are Victor Sidel of International Physicians for the
Prevention of Nuclear War, Norman Solomon of the Institute for Public
Accuracy, William Hartung of the World Policy Institute, filmmaker and
activist Jacqueline Soohen, and former Attorney General Ramsey Clark.
Also speaking at demonstrations we hear from Harry Bellafonte, Jessica
Lange, Susan Sarandon and Danny Glover.
Other titles in
the series are:
the dawn (part I) A look at what really happened
in the presidential elections of 2000.
...and the pursuit of happiness (part II) The
aftermath of 9/11: the war on terror, the Patriot Act, the looming Iraq
war and massive peace demonstrations.
...and nothing but the truth (part III) Looks
at the failure of the mainstream media to ask important questions and
cover opposing points of view.
war, peace and patriotism (part IV) Patriotism,
the 'chicken-hawks' and weapons of mass destruction.
blood and oil (part VI) The stated reasons, and
the real reasons, for the Iraq war.
pax americana (part VII) Spreading human rights
and democracy...or empire?
DVD version: Note:
In this DVD version you must buy the entire series. Parts 1-4 are on
Disc 1 and Parts 5-7 are on Disc 2.
Awards:
Audience Award For
Best TV Series at Documenta Madrid (Spain)
Jury Special Mention, Outstanding Film in the Long Documentary Film
Competition at Ismailia International Festival for Documentaries and
Short Films (Egypt)
International Documentary Filmfestival Amsterdam
Reviews:
"An exceptionally
well done panorama of significant political events surrounding
September 11th, 2001 and the American Empire." Willliam Blum
"Highly revealing! A documentary which celebrates the peace movement
while fueling your rage to danger levels." Red Pepper
Related Subjects:
American Studies
Anthropology
Art/Architecture
Ethics
Foreign Policy
History
Human Rights
International
Relations
Middle East Studies
Peace/Conflict
Resolution
Sociology
Related Links:
www.thecatsdream.com The
Producers' Website
www.paradigmpublishers.com
Paradigm Publishers website, publishers of "American
Voices of Dissent", the book from the film series.
Related Titles:
Paying the Price: John Pilger exposes
the devastating effect that UN sanctions have had on the children of
Iraq.
Breaking the Silence: Truth
and Lies in the War on Terror: John Pilger dissects the truth and
lies in the 'war on terror'.
Palestine Is Still The Issue:
John Pilger returns to the Middle East and questions why there has been
no progress towards peace.
Stealing a Nation:
Award-winning reporter John Pilger exposes how the British Government
expelled the population of a group of islands, including Diego Garcia,
so the US could build a military base.
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