Standing Army (2010)

Over the course of the last century, the US has silently encircled the world with a web of military bases unlike any other in history. No continent is spared.They have shaped the lives of millions, yet remain a mystery to most.

Directors:

Thomas Fazi (co-director), Enrico Parenti (co-director)

Writers:

Thomas Fazi, Enrico Parenti

Stars:

Olivier Bancoult, William Blum, Noam Chomsky

Cast

Credited cast:
Olivier Bancoult	...	Self
William Blum	...	Self
Noam Chomsky	...	Self
Yôichi Iha	...	Self
Chalmers Johnson	...	Self
Rex A. Johnson	...	Self
Michael Klare	...	Self
Edward N. Luttwak	...	Self
Catherine Lutz	...	Self
Gligor Tashkovich	...	Self
Gore Vidal	...	Self

Storyline

Today there are more than 766 US bases scattered around the globe, spanning across more than 100 countries and hosting more than 250.000 soldiers, in addition to the one million-plus soldiers stationed in the US. Acquiring military bases and new territories through acts of war is not something new in history, and the United States are no exception. Almost every single war waged by the US in the course of the 20th century has left behind a trail of new military bases, not only within the borders of the defeated countries. This ever-evolving history is the starting point for this documentary, which will attempt to reveal the mechanisms, purposes and hidden strategies of the bases, as well as the risks they pose for the countries that host them. A blend of stories, history and reflections. A journey across six countries and three continents: Asia, America and Europe.

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Plot Keywords:

military | politics | usa | 

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Taglines:

Standing army: a Journey into the word of U.S military bases

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Genres:

Documentary | War

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Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: Beginning in the 1990s, a belief has slowly taken over the world: that neo-liberal globalization with its built-in self-regulating mechanisms would finally do away with old institutions like the state and the military and would usher the planet into an era of relative peace and prosperity. 9/11 and the current economic crisis have shown that belief to be largely a myth.

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Connections

Follows Why We Fight (2005)

User Reviews

An in depth look at various US military bases around the globe and some of the protests against them.

This film takes an objective view of military spending around the world. Can the US afford to keep expanding their military presence in foreign countries? Japan, Italy, Iraq and many others are saturated with US bases and hundreds of thousands of soldiers. The documentary gives insight into why the US deficit is over $16 Trillion!!!! and growing. Even Nobel Peace Prize, Barack Obama increased the military budget as soon as he was elected! Gore Vidal RIP "Perpetual war for perpetual peace has been the American dream. Once we were launched upon Empire we would never go back." Cathrine Lutz "When soldiers come, war comes." Noam Chomsky "Bases are the Empire. They're the point of projection of power and the expansion of power."

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 2010 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Armia zawodowa

Filming Locations:

Skopje, Macedonia

Box Office

Budget:

EUR200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Effendemfilm

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (MiniDV)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1