Battle in Seattle (2007)

Activists arrive in Seattle, Washington en masse to protest a meeting of the World Trade Organization. Riots and chaos ensue as demonstrators successfully stop the WTO meetings.

Director:

Stuart Townsend

Writer:

Stuart Townsend

Stars:

André Benjamin, Jennifer Carpenter, Isaach De Bankolé

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
André Benjamin	...	Django (as Andre Benjamin)
Jennifer Carpenter	...	Sam
Isaach De Bankolé	...	Abasi (as Isaach De Bankole)
Woody Harrelson	...	Dale
Martin Henderson	...	Jay
Joshua Jackson	...	Randall
Ray Liotta	...	Mayor Jim Tobin
Tzi Ma	...	Governor
Ivana Milicevic	...	Carla
Connie Nielsen	...	Jean
Michelle Rodriguez	...	Lou
Rade Serbedzija	...	Dr. Maric (as Rade Sherbedzija)
Channing Tatum	...	Johnson
Charlize Theron	...	Ella
Christopher Jacot	...	Michael

Storyline

In late November 1999, masses are descending upon Seattle for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Conference, the first ever held on American soil. Beyond the several delegates, career protesters are also coming to Seattle, they who believe the non-elected organization only exists to support corporate interests at the expense of the poor, working class and the environment among other things. Before the conference, the lead known protesters vow that their demonstrations will be peaceful, while Seattle Mayor Jim Tobin promises that if that be the case that no arrests will be made and no aggressive action, such as the use of tear gas, will be issued. On day one of the conference, tensions on both sides escalate the confrontation between police and protesters, with many innocent people caught in the crossfire. As such, what was promised ends up not happening during the remainder of the conference, where many on both sides work not for the greater good of their side, but rather for their ...

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Plot Keywords:

world trade organization | tear gas | protest | political unrest | police arrest | 

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Taglines:

Based on actual events.

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some violence

Details

Country:

Canada USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 May 2008 (France)

Also Known As:

Batalla en Seattle

Filming Locations:

Seattle, Washington, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$46,903, 21 September 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$223,537, 7 December 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hyde Park Entertainment, Insight Film Studios, Remstar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Woody Harrelson has appeared in such American politics movies and politically themed pictures as LBJ (2016), where he plays the title nick-name character of former Democrat American President Lyndon Johnson, Game Change (2012), Barry Levinson's political satire Wag the Dog (1997), Battle in Seattle (2007), and Welcome to Sarajevo (1997). Harrelson played the title character in Wilson (2017), but this was not former Democrat American President Woodrow Wilson, as with the earlier Wilson (1944).

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Goofs

When Lou is arrested at the protest, the police are shown handcuffing her hands with a zip tie. In the next shot while she is being held on the bus, she is shown wiping the bus window with her hand, her hands are no longer tied. Police would keep her hands secured until she was booked into a proper holding cell.

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Quotes

Mayor Jim Tobin: Be tough on your issues but be gentle on my town.

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Crazy Credits

A Special Thanks to AWI and Ben White (who passed away in July of 2005) for the creation of the sea turtle costumes and the coordination of their use in protests against the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Seattle, Washington in 1999. We are indebted to various non-profit organizations and individuals who aided with manufacturing the costumes, and to the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and Ben White for creating the idea for the sea turtle costumes. It was AWI's international coordinator, Ben White, who created those costumes and came up with the idea to put hundreds of people in sea turtle costumes on the streets of Seattle. We will miss Ben and his dedication to make the world a better place.

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Connections

Referenced in Celda 211 (2009)

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Soundtracks

Fake Empire
(Matt Berninger (as Matthew Donald Berninger), Bryce Dessner (as Bryce David Dessner))
Bug House o/b/o/ Val Jester Music
Performed by The National
Courtesy of Beggars Group

User Reviews

Best film I've seen in a long time

I knew very little about this subject before watching the film... I expected to learn a little about it during the film and that was my primary reason for attending the screening at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin. Instead, I was blown away by an incredible story that weaves the events in Seattle with several inspiring and complex characters. In an amazing interaction that muddied the waters between the 'good' and 'bad' guys, this script moves you.

The theater cheered and yelled... an ovation throughout the credits in Austin as well... this movie is powerful and inspiring. I absolutely loved the cast as well as the style of film-making. Great work.