The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

Review by Andrew Bunker-- (of El Roberto Productions)

History can happen sometimes while nobody is expecting it. And then there are times when a camera is present to document everything as it unfolds. On April 11, 2002, when an Irish documentary film crew that had been covering Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez was able to film a dramatic coup that unseated him (briefly) and installed a powerful businessman, Pedro Carmona, as president.

Concerned about Chavez’s rhetoric of redistributing the nations oil wealth amongst its people, the powerful elite decided to remove him from power – though, in a frustrating fashion, the film doesn’t get into much detail here. The privately owned media channels utilized the elite’s anger and proclaimed a massive protest against Chavez on April 10, 2002. Though the film shows the glaring differences between Chavez’s supporters (generally poor and dark-skinned) and those of his enemies (wealthier-seeming and white, for the most part), they don’t explain how the opposition was able to pull together the thousands of protesters who showed up that day (elites being, by their nature, not especially numerous). It turns out that the opposition had the support of the country’s trade unions and that Venezuela was at the time of

the coup engulfed in huge, crippling strikes; again, these are details that would have been helpful for the film to include. However, its also important to note that in the documentary, its shown that footage that was broadcast by the privately owned news outlets in Venezuela was clearly manipulated in a variety of ways in the oppositions favor throughout the film. Film can be made to lie, as this is clearly one of arguments of the pro-Chavez supporters. If private TV lied to the nation in support of the coup, you could argue that the doc itself is clearly biased in favor of Chavez - most clearly so in depicting his opponents. When the right-wing leaders are introduced, it's in slo-motion, and with depressing music. All done for dramatic effect.

The events captured in the film are undeniable dramatic and make for great theater....but you can ask the question why no one on either side thought to question the presence of the TV crew is a mystery, but they got an inside look at a coup - before, during and after which is unique in film history. However, despite having this one of a kind opportunity, the filmamkers of The Revolution Will Not Be Televised barely touch its subject. Potentially important facts like the likelihood of U.S. support (or at least verbal approval) for the opposition coup is barely expounded upon, except for an interview of Colin Powell where he provides a few negative remarks about the Government of Hugo Chavez. It is of course impossible to prove that the coup was sponsored by the U.S. government, but what was the purpose when the U.S. welcomed two of the anti-government leaders who soon after were instrumental in the coup? Why would the U.S. be interested in Venezuela? Because its the fourth largest oil-producing nation on the planet and its price has been guaranteed by the nation's ruling class.

The bottom line....the film leaves the viewer wondering...what's the position of the filmmakers? Unfortunately, the film is clearly one-sided and the filmmakers end up more as propagandists then documentarians. I would recommend watching this film for its interesting take on a coup as its happening and basically as pure entertainment.

Watch the full film! You're welcome.