The WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999, planned to be the launch of a new millennial round of trade negotiations, convened in Seattle, Washington, on November 30th, 1999. What happened next few would have predicted, as the formerly peaceful Seattle (known more for Starbucks than anything else) erupted. Director Stuart Townsend's debut drama puts match to flame in this fictional retelling of the five days that rocked the world. With more than 40,000 people taking to the streets, the demonstration was one of the largest ever in the US against economic globalization. What began as a peaceful protest intended to stop the WTO talks quickly escalated into a full-scale riot that squared off peaceful and unarmed protesters against the Seattle Police Department and the National Guard. Rubber bullets, tear gas, stun grenades and police dogs were employed as the Seattle Convention Center became ground zero for the clashes between protesters and police. (A number of Starbucks were among the first casualties).

Filmed in largely in Vancouver, the movie tells the story of a group of ordinary people (from student activists to police) whose lives changed radically in the mêlée. The film comes out swinging with a veritable cornucopia of stars, including Charlize Theron, Michelle Rodriguez, Woody Harrelson, Ray Liotta and Andre 3000. Actual footage of the riots brings a welcome note of vérité to the action.

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