2021·Documentary·4 episodes
7.8
★
Hybrid docuseries offering an expansive exploration of the exploitative and genocidal aspects of European colonialism, from America to Africa, and its impact on society today.
Created by Raoul Peck
indigenous
nationalism
holocaust (shoah)
fascism
congo
slavery
haiti
rwandan genocide
native american
colonisation
racism
genocide
colonialism
eugenics
geronimo
imperialism
white supremacy
darwinism
colonization
manifest destiny
racial hygiene
nazi germany
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Seasons
Cast
Raoul Peck
Self - Narrator (voice)
Josh Hartnett
American Colonist / Belgian Colonist
Crew
Alexei Aigui
Original Music Composer
Raoul Peck
Executive Producer
Nancy Abraham
Executive Producer
Lisa Heller
Executive Producer
Daniel Delume
Producer
Sven Lindqvist
Book
Teddy Barouh
Art Direction
Valerie Daniella Hernández Oloffson
Casting
Benoît Barouh
Production Design
Rémi Canaple
Stunt Coordinator
Popular Reviews
10 reviews
lana del rey
10.0★ · 02/19/26
my only issue is josh hartnett once again only playing the most vile of men
my only issue is josh hartnett once again only playing the most vile of men
Zig
8.0★ · 01/21/26
Informative
This is a rare case of me actually appreciating the academically mandatory documentary. Throughout the episodes, the documentary manages to delve into historical events that have been either buried or denied by those who benefit from the burial/denial for which reason it is extremely necessary. Josh Hartnett in this was also a nice surprise. My favourite moment, however, is in the final episode when Raoul Peck points out that every, or at least most, oppressors were highly educated and it is not the lack of knowledge that is to blame for cruelty but rather larger systemic issues. Ultimately, such a necessary watch but I could not rate this higher because even within it's generous runtime, it still felt as though some details that were mentioned were only explored from a surface level perspective when depth and nuance would've resulted in a better outcome.
This is a rare case of me actually appreciating the academically mandatory documentary. Throughout the episodes, the documentary manages to delve into historical events that have been either buried or denied by those who benefit from the burial/denial for which reason it is extremely necessary. Josh Hartnett in this was also a nice surprise. My favourite moment, however, is in the final episode when Raoul Peck points out that every, or at least most, oppressors were highly educated and it is not the lack of knowledge that is to blame for cruelty but rather larger systemic issues. Ultimately, such a necessary watch but I could not rate this higher because even within it's generous runtime, it still felt as though some details that were mentioned were only explored from a surface level perspective when depth and nuance would've resulted in a better outcome.
Informative
This is a rare case of me actually appreciating the academically mandatory documentary. Throughout the episodes, the documentary manages to delve into historical events that have been either buried or denied by those who benefit from the burial/denial for which reason it is extremely necessary. Josh Hartnett in this was also a nice surprise. My favourite moment, however, is in the final episode when Raoul Peck points out that every, or at least most, oppressors were highly educated and it is not the lack of knowledge that is to blame for cruelty but rather larger systemic issues. Ultimately, such a necessary watch but I could not rate this higher because even within it's generous runtime, it still felt as though some details that were mentioned were only explored from a surface level perspective when depth and nuance would've resulted in a better outcome.
This is a rare case of me actually appreciating the academically mandatory documentary. Throughout the episodes, the documentary manages to delve into historical events that have been either buried or denied by those who benefit from the burial/denial for which reason it is extremely necessary. Josh Hartnett in this was also a nice surprise. My favourite moment, however, is in the final episode when Raoul Peck points out that every, or at least most, oppressors were highly educated and it is not the lack of knowledge that is to blame for cruelty but rather larger systemic issues. Ultimately, such a necessary watch but I could not rate this higher because even within it's generous runtime, it still felt as though some details that were mentioned were only explored from a surface level perspective when depth and nuance would've resulted in a better outcome.
aly
8.0★ · 01/19/25
“the white man wants our land. we will fight. together. or we will die together” “you steal land. you steal life. you steal humans. what kind of species are you ?”
*
“this kind”*
gunshot
it’s the way this shit is still occurring to this day…. we are truly in hell…
in a way, for me, i mean… i already knew this but..
this film really brought to light how ignorant people are to U.S. and world history .
“we shall be victorious. the other races will disappear and die out” is stated as visuals of happy, carefree white families gathered around their christmas trees opening their presents act as a backdrop to this horrifying plea.
notice how peck doesn’t describe the events of this doc as a “war”… but calls it what it is… a GENOCIDE.
“is the nazi extermination of the Jews unique or not? all historical events are unique and not copies of each other, but they can be compared.”
the doc ends with a rather powerful quote by Raoul which summarizes the entire concept of the film in a nutshell:
“White by birth, a simple pigmentation variation transformed into a source of power. A mark of superiority, an authorization for abuse, a justification for eternal immunity. No modesty is necessary. Nor is doubt a requirement. The ultimate privilege."
just a very great documentary i feel a LOT of people would benefit from seeing.
FREE PALESTINE and FREE CONGO
*
“this kind”*
gunshot
it’s the way this shit is still occurring to this day…. we are truly in hell…
in a way, for me, i mean… i already knew this but..
this film really brought to light how ignorant people are to U.S. and world history .
“we shall be victorious. the other races will disappear and die out” is stated as visuals of happy, carefree white families gathered around their christmas trees opening their presents act as a backdrop to this horrifying plea.
notice how peck doesn’t describe the events of this doc as a “war”… but calls it what it is… a GENOCIDE.
“is the nazi extermination of the Jews unique or not? all historical events are unique and not copies of each other, but they can be compared.”
the doc ends with a rather powerful quote by Raoul which summarizes the entire concept of the film in a nutshell:
“White by birth, a simple pigmentation variation transformed into a source of power. A mark of superiority, an authorization for abuse, a justification for eternal immunity. No modesty is necessary. Nor is doubt a requirement. The ultimate privilege."
just a very great documentary i feel a LOT of people would benefit from seeing.
FREE PALESTINE and FREE CONGO
“the white man wants our land. we will fight. together. or we will die together” “you steal land. you steal life. you steal humans. what kind of species are you ?”
*
“this kind”*
gunshot
it’s the way this shit is still occurring to this day…. we are truly in hell…
in a way, for me, i mean… i already knew this but..
this film really brought to light how ignorant people are to U.S. and world history .
“we shall be victorious. the other races will disappear and die out” is stated as visuals of happy, carefree white families gathered around their christmas trees opening their presents act as a backdrop to this horrifying plea.
notice how peck doesn’t describe the events of this doc as a “war”… but calls it what it is… a GENOCIDE.
“is the nazi extermination of the Jews unique or not? all historical events are unique and not copies of each other, but they can be compared.”
the doc ends with a rather powerful quote by Raoul which summarizes the entire concept of the film in a nutshell:
“White by birth, a simple pigmentation variation transformed into a source of power. A mark of superiority, an authorization for abuse, a justification for eternal immunity. No modesty is necessary. Nor is doubt a requirement. The ultimate privilege."
just a very great documentary i feel a LOT of people would benefit from seeing.
FREE PALESTINE and FREE CONGO
*
“this kind”*
gunshot
it’s the way this shit is still occurring to this day…. we are truly in hell…
in a way, for me, i mean… i already knew this but..
this film really brought to light how ignorant people are to U.S. and world history .
“we shall be victorious. the other races will disappear and die out” is stated as visuals of happy, carefree white families gathered around their christmas trees opening their presents act as a backdrop to this horrifying plea.
notice how peck doesn’t describe the events of this doc as a “war”… but calls it what it is… a GENOCIDE.
“is the nazi extermination of the Jews unique or not? all historical events are unique and not copies of each other, but they can be compared.”
the doc ends with a rather powerful quote by Raoul which summarizes the entire concept of the film in a nutshell:
“White by birth, a simple pigmentation variation transformed into a source of power. A mark of superiority, an authorization for abuse, a justification for eternal immunity. No modesty is necessary. Nor is doubt a requirement. The ultimate privilege."
just a very great documentary i feel a LOT of people would benefit from seeing.
FREE PALESTINE and FREE CONGO
Sel Fran
9.0★ · 06/02/21
can't really articulate all my feelings for such a long film but some hot takes nontheless
please stop inserting trump to criticize american culture america sucked long before trump
please keep inserting popular american films everyone's fave is problematic
more little men recreations of fights in documentaries!
wow i haven't thought about josh harnett in years.
normally hate a documentary director inserting themselves into a film but raoul does it with such grace i love it
god i really love bringing out my guilt by switching between this and the underground railroad
please stop inserting trump to criticize american culture america sucked long before trump
please keep inserting popular american films everyone's fave is problematic
more little men recreations of fights in documentaries!
wow i haven't thought about josh harnett in years.
normally hate a documentary director inserting themselves into a film but raoul does it with such grace i love it
god i really love bringing out my guilt by switching between this and the underground railroad
can't really articulate all my feelings for such a long film but some hot takes nontheless
please stop inserting trump to criticize american culture america sucked long before trump
please keep inserting popular american films everyone's fave is problematic
more little men recreations of fights in documentaries!
wow i haven't thought about josh harnett in years.
normally hate a documentary director inserting themselves into a film but raoul does it with such grace i love it
god i really love bringing out my guilt by switching between this and the underground railroad
please stop inserting trump to criticize american culture america sucked long before trump
please keep inserting popular american films everyone's fave is problematic
more little men recreations of fights in documentaries!
wow i haven't thought about josh harnett in years.
normally hate a documentary director inserting themselves into a film but raoul does it with such grace i love it
god i really love bringing out my guilt by switching between this and the underground railroad
BonzoMontreux
2.0★ · 05/04/21
The narrative that is presented is a mess. It jumps over various places in time and space. There is no clear thesis as he jumps from example to example never giving any critique or analysis. Non-white imperialists actions are also ignored when empires like the Aztec or Japanese were equally as brutal. as someone who is a history major, this documentary is a mess.
The narrative that is presented is a mess. It jumps over various places in time and space. There is no clear thesis as he jumps from example to example never giving any critique or analysis. Non-white imperialists actions are also ignored when empires like the Aztec or Japanese were equally as brutal. as someone who is a history major, this documentary is a mess.