I was present at the WTO talks in Seattle, as the accredited media officer of an international NGO network. I was therefore at various times both in the main talks building and out on the street.
Before this film was made I was sceptical about whether a Hollywood movie could capture the essence of this important but complex event. In fact, I think it does a good job.
It shows clearly that although a small minority of demonstrators committed significant acts of violence against property, most of the so-called "riot" was the consequence of attempts by the police to clear protesters off the streets. It also shows the work of critics of the WTO in meetings and debates inside the talks. It captures much of the basic case against a "free trade" WTO that disregarded environmental, social and labour considerations and tried to impose the economic hegemony of rich countries on the developing world.
If I have a criticism it is that it is too focused on the (powerful and impressive) street protests and not enough on the solidarity of developing country delegates in refusing to accept a biased settlement imposed by the developed world. That was the single greatest achievement of the Battle in Seattle and the one with the most lasting impact.
By the way, when I was chucked out of the talks I was told that my revoked security pass was the "property of the Corporation", which I gather was the local business coalition dominated by Microsoft and Boeing. Told me all I needed to know.
See this movie if you want to understand where the "anti-globalisation" movement really kicked off and the messy but important case it was trying to make.
