Amir Amirani’s film We Are Many was in the research and making for more than nine years. Addressing the illegality of the invasion of Iraq and the subsequent undermining of democratic processes, it sets alongside the power of public protest and mass mobilisations of the anti-Iraq war movement – a movement that was to inspire the Egyptian uprising of 2011; a movement of more than 15 million people, in 800 cities, in 70 countries who marched to protest the imminent invasion of Iraq; a movement which shaped a generation.
Tipping Point Film Fund was the film’s first funder in late 2010 and was an executive producing partner throughout. It was a lead partner on a Kick-starter campaign that raised $92k for the production costs and worked with Amir across fundraising, production, editing, and release in UK cinemas in 2016, as well as the film’s outreach on related peace issues. Find out more here.
WE ARE MANY is available on iTunes and Google Play.
About The Film
The UK release was simultaneous across 82 cinema sites around the country. Each also streamed the London based Q+A, hosted by Jon Snow, with panel including Damon Albarn, Greg Wise, Amir Amirani, Philippe Sands QC, Lindsey German and Omid Djalili. The film secured 4* reviews across the board.
There were 162,000 views of trailer on YouTube and significant press (offline and online) and public debate generated about the power of protest in general and the peace movement in particular through the lens of Iraq. It overturned misconceptions of failure by arguing that the peace movement remains a vital actor on the issue of UK foreign policy-making, re-energising the peace movement through the sharing of their story.
Radio Times “Rousing and moving, it’s a film that should be seen by the many”
North America Release 2020
100 Cities’ virtual cinema screening on UN International Peace Day 2020
Marking the 2020 UN International Day of Peace We Are Many was premiered across the USA and Canada with a wonderful celebratory event. The night featured the screening of We Are Many; exclusive music performances; and a Q&A panel discussion with director Amir Amirani (who is also co-producer of recently acclaimed Coup 53). Amir was joined by some of the film’s cast members and leaders from key activist organizations.
As protests continue to erupt across the world, the film’s message resonates as much now as ever.
Background
We Are Many is the never-before-told story of the largest demonstration in human history, and how the movement created by a small band of activists changed the world. On February 15th, 2003, up to 30 million people, many of whom had never demonstrated before in their lives, came out in nearly 800 cities around the world to protest against the impending Iraq War. The New York Times called this movement the “Second Superpower”. How did this day come about? Who organized it?
And was it, as many people claimed, a total failure? This is not quite the story we all assumed it to be. The film has testimony from a first class list of interviewees including John Le Carre, Danny Glover, Brian Eno, Medea Benjamin, Jesse Jackson, Tariq Ali, Noam Chomsky, Mark Rylance, Damon Albarn, Leslie Cagan, Tony Benn, Lindsay German, Ken Loach, Hans Blix.
“The global protest against the Iraq War on 15 February 2003 was a pivotal moment in recent history, the consequences of which have gone unreported. Amir Amirani’s We Are Many chronicles the struggle to shift power from the old establishment to the new superpower that is global public opinion, through the prism of one historic day. I urge you to support this film in whatever way you can.” – Oliver Stone
“A work of beautiful rage. Provokes anger and goosebumps” ★★★★☆
Empire
“consistently intelligent and nuanced”
Variety
“incredibly ambitious… gripping. The only film I’ve ever watched where the audience started clapping halfway through…” ★★★★★
Huffington Post
“rousing and moving, it’s a film that should be seen by the many” ★★★★☆
Radio Times
“A very valuable film” ★★★★☆
Guardian
WE ARE MANY is available on:
iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/movie/we-are-many/id1118498978
Google Play https://play.google.com/store/movies/details?id=W6h4vSBHOfA
It has been acquired by UNIVERSAL PICTURES for worldwide distribution (excluding North America). Planning is now underway for the theatrical release of the film in the USA.
Links
Website http://wearemany.com/
Trailer: https://youtu.be/lsTCWm7lGcQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearemanymovie
Twitter: @WeAreManyMovie
Festivals
‘We Are Many’ premiere screening takes Sheffield Doc/Fest by storm. The reception for Amir’s film about the world’s largest protest – the anti-Iraq invasion protests of 2003 – was incredible, getting a standing ovation from the audience, much feedback on twitter and some brilliant reviews.
Press
Guardian: We Are Many review – a necessary reminder of a gigantic scandal ★★★★☆
Guardian Live: “the one-to-watch doc from the new Michael Moore on the block”
Radio Times: “A valuable tribute to protest, it’s a film that should be seen by the many” ★★★★☆
Empire: A work of beautiful rage ★★★★☆
Time Out: This impressive doc pieces together the story of the biggest global protest in history ★★★★☆
Financial Times: The worldwide 2003 protests against the Iraq war are recalled in this documentary ★★★★☆
The Huffington Post UK: ‘We Are Many’ Film Review – A Tireless Look At Events Leading To And From Stop The War March 2003 ★★★★★
Jewish Chronicle: Celebrating a global wave of morality ★★★★☆
Daily Mail: Day when millions marched for peace: We Are Many is a brilliant documentary ★★★★☆
Close-Up Film: Yes, it’s an anti-war film, but it’s much more than that, We Are Many is a statement of our times ★★★★☆
CamdenReview: We are Many. Directed by Amir Amirani ★★★★☆
HuffPost Entertainment: ‘We Are Many’ Director Amir Amirani Reveals 8-Year Journey From Anti-War March To Standing Ovation
The Star: Sheffield Doc/Fest Best of Fest
Grolsch Film Works: Sheffield Doc/Fest 2014: We Are Many ★★★★☆
Screen Daily: Review – We Are Many
The Hollywood Reporter: ‘We Are Many’: Sheffield Review
The Observer: Stars invoke the spirit of 2003 Iraq war demo in new film
Tipping Point North South 