The Arab Awakening

The Arab Awakening

2011, Politics  -  Playlist 38 Comments
6.11
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Ratings: 6.11/10 from 19 users.

The Arab AwakeningAs revolution shakes the Arab world, a series of films explore the roots of the uprisings and ask what next?

The Arab Spring began in 2010 ushering in an era of revolution and protest. Revolution has shaken the Arab world for a year, as protesters, many armed only with smartphones, stared down heavily armed riot police and rattled the Middle East and North Africa.

During the early days of Egypt’s revolution, the once-powerful and much-feared interior minister, Habib al-Adly, reportedly dismissed Cairo’s protesters as a bunch of incognizant, ineffective young people. It was, perhaps, the most erroneous assessment of the entire Arab Spring.

The seeds of Libya’s uprising were planted 15 years ago when stories of cold-blooded murder began to seep from the nation’s most notorious prison. Through the eyes of a Libyan-born filmmaker, we investigate the dark stories emerging from a country fast unravelling into civil war.

Rageh Omaar examines how the death of a penniless fruit seller in Tunisia first ignited mass revolt in the country, led to the overthrow of its president and effects far beyond its borders.

Hamza al-Khateeb, a chubby 13-year-old, disappeared April 29. After being held for a month, allegedly by the anti-terrorism branch of Syria’s Air Force, his badly mutilated corpse was returned to his family.

About 50 people have died during clashes between protesters and security forces as the government refuses to budge on demands for democratic reforms. At the start, there was reason to believe Bahrain would be the next to sweep aside its powerful leaders.

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callguy123
callguy123
11 years ago

I think the main focus and point of those who created this documentary is people, civilians have more power to overthrow their government rather than the government taking control of its citizens. And this isn't new news, it happens everywhere around the world. And it goes beyond history, such countries as France and parts of Europe. I think Greece would soon upstage one anytime soon...

Sherman Monro
Sherman Monro
11 years ago

This documentary was a poorly scripted, filmed, and directed and showed the western involvement in Arab uprising. It’s always the case, tyrant out, tyrant in --- but in different form and outfit! Look at Iran, Shah was kicked out and Mullah was brought in. Even Assad is (was) backed by Russia. So, the problem is, these dictators are all created and backed up by developed countries for economic reasons, which means the whole world’s economic is screwed up because it’s based on plundering other fellow man; rather than coexistence, collaboration and sharing the resources and finding the sustainable solutions on this planet, and in peace. Despots are either bought or extorted or a combination of both and kept in power. When they become less popular and don’t serve the Mastermind’s interest any more, they are replaced by another puppet … and the show goes on … and on … and on.

Man needs psychotherapy and a complete overhaul to overcome GREED.

Libyan people wanted to get rid of a dictator and the western stakeholder(s) facilitated the process but to what price?! Do we hear any news about rebuilding infrastructure projects in Iraq or Afghanistan? No, because Almaleki and Karzai are puppets in place for safe keeping of our interests in these countries. Meanwhile, the puppets become richer and more powerful every day until the next plan by the Mastermind! e.g. Gaddafi and Libya, Karzai in Afghanistan.

It’s so frustrating if Libyans have to suffer from another dictator after years of oppression by Gaddafi, and after so many victims of this so called “uprising.”

Last word, I think Arab Spring was a phenomenon, which was not totally spontaneous but partially induced.

taxfatcats
taxfatcats
11 years ago

It's obscene to call people protesting the torture they have endured for years, an "awakening" - more a dirge - we all share in the kleptocrat's global coup.

Another21stCenturySlave
Another21stCenturySlave
12 years ago

who is this guy narrating this documentary, is he supposed to be arabian? he sounds like hes english putting on some phoney accent...something to be considered..or is it american ..maybe rupert murdoch bought over the al jezeera network

WTC7
WTC7
12 years ago

Watching CNN, BBC or Al Jazeera nowadays is increasingly becoming like watching one and the same TV news channel... I have recently turned to RT altogether - an agenda there too, but at least a different one and offers an alternative in terms of perspective from which global events are looked at

fonbindelhofas
fonbindelhofas
12 years ago

been reading alot about "Arab Spring" lately, first this doc inspired me, but now i dont even know what to think about this anymore... and aljazeera become so pro western propoganda chanel... can it be that all those people sacrificed in vain? from one tyrony to another. realy makes me sad

Dante Robertson
Dante Robertson
12 years ago

i guess democracy is an better way to get our sticky western hands on mid east oil than going to war for it p.s. israel is never going to rule over the middle east the u.s. gov't must know this

anuragawasthi
anuragawasthi
12 years ago

Foolish Arabs do not understand the great US plan..............USA will tweak their valance sheet with help of these US puppets(also called as democracy) and will enslave them for generations

dmxi
dmxi
12 years ago

i have difficulties of perceiving this revolution for what it is.....incited,as chavez has endured (there is a well documented film on this site,which i truly recommend!!!),due to external interference or a true desire for self management & citizien (genderless!) equality with a secular focus ?

Connie Buckley Smith
Connie Buckley Smith
12 years ago

Correction: We're damned if WE do and damned if WE don't!

Geoffrey de Geoffrey
Geoffrey de Geoffrey
12 years ago

Good to watch but my stomic turned around sometimes, While watching this around dinnertime

davy11
davy11
12 years ago

i enjoyed this, well worth a watch. syria will be next me think. hopefully

Connie Buckley Smith
Connie Buckley Smith
12 years ago

Really! Facebook, Twitter and the Internet had nothing to do with the so called success of the revolution. Some people, and we all know who they are, hate to give the US or their citizens credit for anything. But when they are in desperate need of help, as is the case in Syria, who do they plead to. We're damned if you do and damned if we don't.

Epicurus
Epicurus
12 years ago

that was excellent. good watch.

globalunitea
globalunitea
12 years ago

20 minutes is all I can tolerate. I have followed the protests closely, one of my closest friends is an Egyptian, living in Egypt. There are so many stories to be told of politics, money, fear, frustration, courage, murder, love, compassion, torture, generosity, oppression, victory and instead we're looking at all of this through the lens of a detached, wealthy Libyan 1%er who tried to make a cinematic masterpiece amid all the turmoil. And they've diluted the magnificent and tragic details of the uprising to a point that it's just a story of this boring, out of touch rich guy filming a moving among a massive revolution. Al Jazeera has apparently made some "management changes" in recent months. This reeks of corporate media emissions...

fonbindelhofas
fonbindelhofas
12 years ago

everyone deserves freedom, & not fake one what we have in west, & shame on Goran Milosavljevi?, Bjurne, can u go any lower?

must say sry to Goran Milosavljevi?, Bjurne, i was wrong, u were right, it is just a propoganda:(

nebra
nebra
12 years ago

i dont get this world.......

Bjurne
Bjurne
12 years ago

Corporate propaganda. So sad to see this.

Deejay Es
Deejay Es
12 years ago

nice insight , i only seen the news images and it was not about this

Goran Milosavljevi?
Goran Milosavljevi?
12 years ago

Propaganda, very bad and untrue propaganda .

kate langille
kate langille
12 years ago

Another interesting one from aljazeera.