Watch We Are the Giant
- NR
- 2014
- 1 hr 30 min
-
6.8 (175)
We Are the Giant is a gripping and powerful documentary film from 2014, which chronicles the stories of three courageous individuals who dared to speak out and take action during the Arab Spring. The film explores the human cost of revolutionary struggle, and the personal sacrifices that are often necessary in the pursuit of freedom and democracy.
The film features interviews with a number of activists and their families, including Zainab Alkhawaja, a Bahraini human rights activist; Ghassan Najjar, a young Syrian revolutionary; and Motaz Murad, a Libyan rebel fighter. Through their stories, we see how the Arab Spring transformed from a peaceful uprising for democracy to a brutal and complicated conflict in which ordinary people were forced to take up arms in order to defend themselves and their communities.
One of the most compelling elements of We Are the Giant is its focus on the personal stories of the activists themselves, and the struggles that they faced in their individual lives. Alkhawaja, for example, is a remarkable woman who has dedicated her life to advocating for human rights in Bahrain, even in the face of brutal government repression. Throughout the film, we see her struggle to maintain her activism in the midst of constant harassment and violence from the authorities, and we gain a deep appreciation for the personal sacrifices that activists are often required to make in order to effect change.
Similarly, the film explores the deeply personal motivations that inspired Najjar and Murad to become revolutionaries, and the toll that their decisions took on their families and loved ones. Through these personal stories, We Are the Giant is able to capture the complex and multi-faceted nature of the Arab Spring, and to show how the struggle for democracy and freedom extends far beyond the political domain.
The film is also notable for the way that it illuminates the ways in which the Arab Spring was shaped and influenced by broader geopolitical forces. From the intervention of foreign powers to the impact of social media on the revolutionary movement, We Are the Giant shows how the Arab Spring was both a deeply local and deeply global phenomenon, and how it was shaped by a wide range of actors and factors.
Perhaps most importantly, We Are the Giant is a powerful testament to the human spirit, and to the power of ordinary people to effect change in the world around them. Despite the many obstacles they faced, Alkhawaja, Najjar, and Murad persisted in their struggles for freedom and justice, and in doing so, they became symbols of hope and inspiration for countless others.
Overall, We Are the Giant is a compelling and nuanced portrait of the Arab Spring, and of the transformative power of revolution. Through its focus on the personal stories of ordinary people who found themselves caught up in these historic events, the film is able to capture the human cost of revolution, as well as its profound and enduring significance. For anyone who is interested in understanding the Arab Spring and its ongoing legacy, We Are the Giant is an essential and insightful film.
We Are the Giant is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 52.