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SYSTEM OF A DOWN SCREAMING OUT LOUD
Andrew Sheridan
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian
http://media.www.dailycollegian.com/medi a/storage/paper874/news/2008/03/10/ArtsLiving/Syst em.Of.A.Down.Screaming.Out.Loud-3260345.shtml
Marc h 10 2008
MA
One point five million people dead, thousands of children orphaned.
Three-fourths of an entire population murdered in the span of two
years, and a guilty government in complete denial. Such was the state
of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, "the forgotten massacre." It was
the inspiration for the Holocaust, the first Great War crime of the
20th century and the topic of the new documentary, "Screamers."
The film is the product of the Grammy-winning band System of a Down,
and from the start, one might think that it is simply a profile of
the group. It begins at a System concert in the U.S., where rabid
fans flock the stadium, and the members prepare to perform. The
emphasis quickly changes, however, to the political activity going
on at the event.
Tents and stands dot the area, distributing literature about genocide
and circling petitions. Activists push their social agendas freely
with the blessing of the group, who announce their intentions right
off the bat saying, "This band just started to make you ask questions."
The concert, which took place in 2005, was held on the 90th anniversary
of the Armenian genocide. The band members, all of Armenian descent,
feel strongly about the event, which is largely unknown and denied
openly by many of the world's governments.
The documentary mixes interviews of band members, survivors of war
crimes and experts. It is also laced with live performances by SOAD,
in which the sometimes incomprehensible lyrics are layered over the
instrumentals, revealing their highly political nature often lost on
casual System listeners.
Though the film chronicles genocide in general, much focus is given to
the near-extermination of the Armenians. Following the introduction of
band member Serj Tankian's 96 year-old grandfather Stepan Haytayan,
a survivor, the film starts in on a heart-wrenching depiction of
Turkey circa World War I.
Unbeknownst to most Americans, during the turn of the century the
Christian Albanian population of Turkey was being persecuted by the
Muslim majority. When war broke out, Turkish leader Mehmet Resat used
the confusion to carry out the mass execution of the Albanian people.
The narration is supplemented by poignant accounts of the terrible
incident from survivors and was made even more effective by
black-and-white images of the carnage and death.
After Turkey is discussed, the focus of the film is widened to genocide
in general throughout the twentieth century. As one expert says,
"Genocide is about using the cover of an overall conflict to deal
with ethnic ... claimants that you've been wanting to get out of the
way for a long time."
>From the Holocaust to Rwanda, Kosovo, Bosnia, Kurdistan and even
Darfur, "Screamers" profiles some of the lowest points in human
history in graphic detail.
Chilling accounts from those left behind are almost too much to bear at
times, and full color photographs of recent events bring the conflicts
a little too close to home. Not for the faint of heart or the weak
of stomach, these scenes are well edited and make a significant impact.
The latter part of the piece is dedicated to the United States and its
responses to past atrocities. After every single act of genocide in
the past century, a high-ranking U.S. official has publicly denounced
the act, boldly saying "never again." Time and time again, however,
the government witnesses the murder of thousands and does nothing
because of political interests.
Released in 2006, "Screamers" has been shown at theaters and film
festivals around the world, bringing home awards at Sundance and
Montreal. The DVD, which debuted at the end of 2007, contains a
backstage tour with System as well as additional songs and press
interviews with the artists.
It has been acclaimed by critics nationwide and for good reason. At
times powerful and eye-opening, the film succeeds in the band's
original goal of making you ask questions. It doesn't stand out from
other documentaries in terms of production values or pacing; but in
terms of impact and information, it is one of the best of the year.
Those who are simply looking for an entertaining movie to pass the time
should most likely look elsewhere, but for the politically minded -
and System of a Down fan - "Screamers" is top-notch.
Andrew Sheridan
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian
http://media.www.dailycollegian.com/medi a/storage/paper874/news/2008/03/10/ArtsLiving/Syst em.Of.A.Down.Screaming.Out.Loud-3260345.shtml
Marc h 10 2008
MA
One point five million people dead, thousands of children orphaned.
Three-fourths of an entire population murdered in the span of two
years, and a guilty government in complete denial. Such was the state
of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, "the forgotten massacre." It was
the inspiration for the Holocaust, the first Great War crime of the
20th century and the topic of the new documentary, "Screamers."
The film is the product of the Grammy-winning band System of a Down,
and from the start, one might think that it is simply a profile of
the group. It begins at a System concert in the U.S., where rabid
fans flock the stadium, and the members prepare to perform. The
emphasis quickly changes, however, to the political activity going
on at the event.
Tents and stands dot the area, distributing literature about genocide
and circling petitions. Activists push their social agendas freely
with the blessing of the group, who announce their intentions right
off the bat saying, "This band just started to make you ask questions."
The concert, which took place in 2005, was held on the 90th anniversary
of the Armenian genocide. The band members, all of Armenian descent,
feel strongly about the event, which is largely unknown and denied
openly by many of the world's governments.
The documentary mixes interviews of band members, survivors of war
crimes and experts. It is also laced with live performances by SOAD,
in which the sometimes incomprehensible lyrics are layered over the
instrumentals, revealing their highly political nature often lost on
casual System listeners.
Though the film chronicles genocide in general, much focus is given to
the near-extermination of the Armenians. Following the introduction of
band member Serj Tankian's 96 year-old grandfather Stepan Haytayan,
a survivor, the film starts in on a heart-wrenching depiction of
Turkey circa World War I.
Unbeknownst to most Americans, during the turn of the century the
Christian Albanian population of Turkey was being persecuted by the
Muslim majority. When war broke out, Turkish leader Mehmet Resat used
the confusion to carry out the mass execution of the Albanian people.
The narration is supplemented by poignant accounts of the terrible
incident from survivors and was made even more effective by
black-and-white images of the carnage and death.
After Turkey is discussed, the focus of the film is widened to genocide
in general throughout the twentieth century. As one expert says,
"Genocide is about using the cover of an overall conflict to deal
with ethnic ... claimants that you've been wanting to get out of the
way for a long time."
>From the Holocaust to Rwanda, Kosovo, Bosnia, Kurdistan and even
Darfur, "Screamers" profiles some of the lowest points in human
history in graphic detail.
Chilling accounts from those left behind are almost too much to bear at
times, and full color photographs of recent events bring the conflicts
a little too close to home. Not for the faint of heart or the weak
of stomach, these scenes are well edited and make a significant impact.
The latter part of the piece is dedicated to the United States and its
responses to past atrocities. After every single act of genocide in
the past century, a high-ranking U.S. official has publicly denounced
the act, boldly saying "never again." Time and time again, however,
the government witnesses the murder of thousands and does nothing
because of political interests.
Released in 2006, "Screamers" has been shown at theaters and film
festivals around the world, bringing home awards at Sundance and
Montreal. The DVD, which debuted at the end of 2007, contains a
backstage tour with System as well as additional songs and press
interviews with the artists.
It has been acclaimed by critics nationwide and for good reason. At
times powerful and eye-opening, the film succeeds in the band's
original goal of making you ask questions. It doesn't stand out from
other documentaries in terms of production values or pacing; but in
terms of impact and information, it is one of the best of the year.
Those who are simply looking for an entertaining movie to pass the time
should most likely look elsewhere, but for the politically minded -
and System of a Down fan - "Screamers" is top-notch.