‘Battle’ tries to make sketch happen

Published Friday, October 10, 2008 Despite what you’re thinking, “Battle in Seattle” isn’t a grunge showdown. The title refers to five days of mayhem and destruction that took place in Seattle in 1999 when thousands of protesters blocked the city in an effort to suspend World Trade Organization talks. A relatively forgotten event, it is nevertheless a gold mine of dramatic potential, and Stuart Townsend, yet another actor turned writer-director, has been quick to take advantage. “Battle in Seattle” follows the evolution of the protests from a well-regulated, peaceful affair to a series of frighteningly violent clashes between civilians and the police. Documentary footage is mixed in, underscoring the authenticity of the events and firmly rooting fictional representations within an indisputable historic reality. The personal... [read full story]