The People Speak (2009)

A look at America's struggles with war, class, race and women's rights. based on Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States."

Directors:

Anthony Arnove, Chris Moore,

Writers:

Anthony Arnove (book), Howard Zinn (book)

Stars:

Kerry Washington, Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon

Cast

Credited cast:
Kerry Washington	...	Herself
Morgan Freeman	...	Himself
Matt Damon	...	Himself
Rosario Dawson	...	Herself
Don Cheadle	...	Himself
Josh Brolin	...	Himself
Sean Penn	...	Himself
Viggo Mortensen	...	Himself
Marisa Tomei	...	Herself
Sandra Oh	...	Herself
Michael Ealy	...	Himself
Q'orianka Kilcher	...	Herself
David Strathairn	...	Himself
Benjamin Bratt	...	Himself
Danny Glover	...	Himself

Storyline

A look at America's struggles with war, class, race and women's rights. based on Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States."

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Plot Keywords:

pro human rights movement | classism | racism | malcolm x | cesar chavez | 

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Genres:

Documentary | History

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 December 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The People Speak, Artfire Films, Johnson-Roessler Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min 113 min (DVD)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Howard Zinn: We didn't want to hear the words of the White House. We wanted to hear the words of those picketing the White House. Agitators. The anti-war protesters. The socialists and anarchists. In other words, the people who gave us whatever liberty and democracy we have in this country. What's common to all of them is the spirit of resistance to illegitimate authority. Democracy is in dissent. Democracy is in resistance. Democracy does not come from the top. It comes from the bottom.

User Reviews

The First Review, what a shame!!!

Not one person even recommends this wonderful documentary by one of the United States most cherished historians. This seems to be a truly sad state of affairs.

I first heard of Mr. Zinn, like many Non-US-Citizens (I'm Swiss/Algerian) through a plug by Matt Damon's character in "Good Will Hunting".

After loving Gus van Sant's movie for almost 15 years and doing some research about Mr. Zinn I have now watched this movie and the Matt Damon-narrated "You Can't be Neutral on a Moving Train".

All I can say to people around the world and especially Americans, "SEE IT". It's more than worth it, to see history with a different pair of eyes, different view-points and a healthy dose of hope for humanity.

The words that are being spoken here are as true and relevant as they ever were. The passion by Mr. Damon, Viggo Mortensen, Morgan Freeman, Sean Penn, Marisa Tomei, Josh Brolin, Jasmin Guy and many others is clearly visible and audible.

I truly hope this review will be useful to you :-) Because "if we do act, in however small a way, we don't have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory." Thank your Mr. Zinn for your words, thoughts, inspirations and to the many people involved in the making of this documentary.

Serge Zehnder 10 February 2010.