Grades 10-12, College, Adult
Directed by Gabriele Zamparini
Produced by Gabriele Zamparini, Lorenzo Meccoli
US Release Date: 2005
Copyright Date: 2003
VHS ISBN: 1-59458-262-9
Subjects
American Democracy
American Studies
Anthropology
Citizenship
Civil Liberties
Conflict Resolution
Ethics
Foreign Policy
US
Global Issues
History
Human Rights
Humanities
International Studies
Iran
Iraq
Media Studies
Middle East Studies
Social Justice
Sociology
United Nations
War and Peace
Awards and Festivals
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
blood and oil
(part VI)
The stated reasons, and the real reasons, for the Iraq war.
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"Powerful testimonies! This certainly deserves to be seen by a broad audience." Howard Zinn |
Note: You cannot buy individual program in this series. You must buy the entire series. Parts 1-4 are on Disc 1 and Parts 5-7 are on Disc 2.
As the war against Iraq was approaching, many international organizations were working to identify and anticipate the effects of this new conflict on the civilian population and economy of Iraq. Interviews with Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War present us with possible scenarios for the conduct and repercussions of the current war. What is the price, and who will pay it?
Part 6 of "XXI CENTURY" also looks at the damage done to the UN, the refusal of the US to join the International Criminal Court, to be bound by any international standards. It looks at the justification for war, namely weapons of mass destruction. Former weapons inspector Scott Ritter demolishes that argument. So what are we fighting for? Howard Zinn points out that the central feature of US policy in the Middle East is our need for a dependable supply of oil. It alone can explain our actions from the overthrow of the Mossadegh regime in Iran in 1956 to the first Gulf War in 1991, even to our attempt to oust Hugo Chávez in Venezuela.
Helping us deconstruct US foreign policy are Gore Vidal, Roger Normand of the Center for Economic and Social Rights, Jose Alvarez of Columbia Law School, investigative journalist Greg Palast, and historian Arno Mayer.
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.
civilization (part V) Iraq's history -- from the 'cradle of civilization' to the first Gulf War and UN sanctions.
pax americana (part VII) Spreading human rights and democracy...or empire?
Reviews
"An exceptionally well done panorama of significant political events surrounding September 11th, 2001 and the American Empire."
"Highly revealing! A documentary which celebrates the peace movement while fueling your rage to danger levels."