Exterminez toutes ces brutes

Informative documentary looking at Europe's colonial past and the horrific consequences of mans inhumanity towards man based on colour and creed. There was nothing really new to me, except perhaps the details, but I do take issue with one thing, colonialism and genocide did not start with the crusades in the eleventh century, it has gone since time immemorial ie the Mongols, Persians, Romans, Vikings etc etc.

Abstract, historical and utterly unflinching. There are no words that will do this documentary series justice for how vital it is. Raoul himself says in episode 4 that even getting a program like this made is remarkable. It's certainly a little different in style than most docs blending archival, music, personal narrative and dramatic reconstruction but for me personally it works because that is Raoul's style. There are so many reasons why this is so important but absolute clarity on who we are and how we got here is vital for our decision making for who we want to be going forward.

Peck holds a mirror up to Western civilization so matter-of-factly that it's absolutely devastating. I'm sure in the current age of denial and rationalization this documentary will draw strong criticism from those who prefer the Washington and the cherry tree version of history but this film is brilliantly steeped in undeniable fact.

"Exterminating All the Brutes" (2021 release; 4 episodes of about 60 min. Each) is a new documentary mini-series that takes a close look at the origins and history of white supremacy in all of its forms. As Episode 1 opens, the voice-over of director Raoul Peck reminds us that "There are 3 key words to this: civilization, colonization, and extermination", and with that we are off on a global review and reassessment of how all of this came about.

Couple of comments: this is the latest work by Oscar-nominated director Raoul Peck ("I Am Not Your Negro"). If you have seen any of his prior films, you will find that "Exterminate All the Brutes" is very recognizable. Peck likes to think big, and certainly does so here again. What we watch is a strange but powerful mix of a dream-like atmosphere pushed up against the brutal realities of what happened in Europe (such as with the Holocaust) and the US (such as with the Native Americans and later Black slaves). Comments Peck: "The medieval Crusades wasn't just to win over souls, they are the origins of white supremacy." As I hail from Belgium (I moved to the US when I was 23), I was particularly interested in Peck's take on Belgium's King Leopold II reign of terror in Congo in the late 19th century. It ain't a pretty picture, and I'm being mild. I realize that in the current political climate in this country, a certain group will cry wolf over this documentary series, but the bottom line is that facts are facts, whether you deny or disagree with these facts or not. (I can't help but notice the ridiculously low ratings this documentary series has gotten to date on IMDb, but strangely and conveniently not a single review has been posted as of my writing this. Talk about a cancel culture... You can't cancel inconvenient facts!) "Exterminate All the Brutes" (a line taken from Joseph Conrad's novel "Heart of Darkness", incidentally) is brutal, and brutally honest.

"Exterminate All the Brutes" premiered this week on HBO, and is now available on HBO On Demand, Amazon Instant Video, and other streaming services. If you have any interest in the colonial past of this country, and indeed of the world at large, or you are simply a fan of Raoul Peck's prior work, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

To decolonize the mind is a tough thing to do. It is ironic that the people who don't like it, merely don't like it because it doesn't show whiteness (not white people, but whiteness) in a bad light. That should tell you all you need to know. As for the documentary itsel, parts are hard to watch. He makes you sit with your feelings and endure the cognitive dissonance within you. Even paused a few times to "research" only to find out, what was just said/presented was factual. The narrative around a lot of what we know and was taught is torn down and that is extremely hard for some. Like finding out the Easter bunny, tooth fairy, and Santa clause aren't real. The documentary does a great job of humanizing the people while showing how whiteness (not white people) developed a sense of being in this country. It is worth a watch and when you get over the emotions of it, you should watch it again. I can not lie- I did wonder how this snuck by to be on such a large platform like HBOMax. But it was well worth discovering.

Disregard the sensitive cancel culture firebrand of those who just want to call anything that doesn't say "white is right, regardless" political drivel or propaganda - as if the status quo isn't propaganda in the worst form.