The War On Democracy by John Pilger

The War On Democracy by John Pilger. This documentary by John Pilger is 1 hour and 34 minutes long.

“Veteran reporter John Pilger describes The War On Democracy as his most positive film to date, a strange thing to say about a documentary that systematically itemizes the appalling legacy of US involvement in Latin American affairs. Still, for all the heart-rending personal testimony, chilling archive footage and images of grinding poverty, there is a note of cautious optimism, in a powerful work that suggests the real Land of the Free is to be found in Uncle Sam’s back yard.

Pilger’s selective tactic is to report from three South American countries where people-power and popular movements have challenged the historic sway of vested imperialist interests. Thus we see President Hugo Chávez use Venezuela’s vast oil wealth to fund social programs, in the teeth of ferocious right-wing opposition and an unsuccessful Washington-backed coup; Bolivians fighting back against the grasping multinationals who have seized their water supply; and ordinary Chileans rebuilding their lives after decades of torture and tyranny. Along the way we also hear from ex-CIA chief Duane Clarridge, whose contemptuous riposte to Pilger’s criticisms (‘Get used to it, world!’) tells us everything we need to know about Bush’s idea of “freedom.’”

—BBC

“[This is] powerfully argued stuff, benefiting from a warmly sympathetic interview with President Hugo Chávez, counterpointed by the pantomime creepiness of representatives of the CIA and their ilk... Heartfelt, sincere, and often enlightening viewing.”

—The Observer

You can read more about this documentary here.