You are here:

This Is What Democracy Looks Like

Name: This Is What Democracy Looks Like
Director: Jill Friedberg, Rick Rowley
Released: 2000
Duration: 72 min

Representation Score

8.3/10

Excellent

2000

Not Rated

Director

Jill Friedberg, Rick Rowley

Runtime

72 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

This documentary employs a decentralized filmmaking approach, using 100 amateur camera operators to challenge traditional journalistic hierarchies. This participatory method shifts the focus from elite decision-makers to a grassroots collective. The film excels at providing a systemic critique of global capitalism and deconstructing institutional authority. It presents the protest movement as a diverse, multi-ethnic coalition resisting centralized power structures. However, the work lacks depth regarding individual identity markers. While it captures a broad spectrum of people, it does not provide specific narratives for LGBTQ+ or disability-focused advocacy.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does This Is What Democracy Looks Like have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film highlights diverse protests but does not focus on specific LGBTQ+ stories or non-cisgender representations. Instead, it emphasizes broader political critiques and mass mobilization efforts.

How does This Is What Democracy Looks Like portray gender?

Fair

The film centers on the ability to act of the masses, challenging traditional 'great man' historical narratives. However, it does not explicitly explore specific gender-based power dynamics or the subversion of masculinity.

How racially and ethnically diverse is This Is What Democracy Looks Like?

Good

The documentary showcases a coalition of multi-ethnic protesters united against a centralized institution. This diverse group serves as a symbol of multi-layered solidarity against centralized power structures.

How does This Is What Democracy Looks Like represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film offers a strong critique of neoliberal capitalism and Western institutional power. It celebrates anti-authoritarianism and the reclaiming of democratic ability to act against corporate and political elites.

Does This Is What Democracy Looks Like include disability representation?

Fair

The narrative focuses on the collective movement and physical chaos of street protests. There is no specific mention of neurodivergent individuals or visible disability advocacy.

Present on Screen

The participatory filmmaking model empowers a decentralized, grassroots narrative.
The film effectively depicts a multi-ethnic coalition, showcasing multi-layered solidarity.
It provides a powerful systemic critique of neoliberalism and corporate power.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks specific narratives regarding LGBTQ+ identities.
There is minimal focus on disability representation or accessibility.
Gender-based power dynamics are not explicitly explored or articulated.

Official Synopsis

This film, shot by 100 amateur camera operators, tells the story of the enormous street protests in Seattle, Washington in November 1999, against the World Trade Organization summit being held there. Vowing to oppose, among other faults, the WTO's power to arbitrally overrule nations' environmental, social and labour policies in favour of unbridled corporate greed, protestors from all around came out in force to make their views known and stop the summit. Against them is a brutal police force and a hostile media as well as the stain of a minority of destructively overzealous comrades. Against all odds, the protesters bravely faced fierce opposition to take back the rightful democratic power that the political and corporate elite of the world is determined to deny the little people.

How are these scores produced? →