Trade Off: Shaya Mercer's documentary about the WTO battle in Seattle
Ranked #18,665 in Culture & Society, #376,418 overall
Trade Off
"Important and potentially incendiary."
Daily Variety
Winner-Best Documentary
Seattle International Film Festival
Official Selection:
CineVegas International Film Festival
Global Visions Film Festival
Human Rights Watch International Film Festival
Vancouver International Film Festival
Trade Off tells the story of the five days in Seattle that shook the world - November 29 through December 3, 1999 - when the World Trade Organization's first meeting on U.S. soil was met with protests of tens of thousands of people from a broad coalition of diverse communities never seen before. Violent media images of "The Battle in Seattle" captured international headlines but did not answer key questions about what was at stake.
Shot entirely on location, this balanced overview of the protests moves through rallies, marches, street actions, and press conferences providing a voyeuristic exploration of this important week of protest and the people's movement that continues to build across the United States and around the world.
The issues raised by Trade Off are those faced by civil society--the effects of global trade policy on the environment and health, food and agriculture, labor and human rights, and the future of democracy around the world.
"No film better captures the spirit, chaos, joy, power and meaning of the Battle of Seattle, than Shaya Mercer's Trade Off. Made under the most difficult conditions, the film itself brings an articulate new voice to this historic chapter in American history."
--Jerry Mander, International Forum on Globalization
directed by Shaya Mercer
produced by Thomas Lee Wright
director of photography by Chris Towey
editor Charlotte Stobbs
90 minutes, color
(60 minute version available)
copyright 2000 Wright Angle Media
A Wright Films Production
Distributed by Eatwell Media
www.eatwellmedia.com
Daily Variety
Winner-Best Documentary
Seattle International Film Festival
Official Selection:
CineVegas International Film Festival
Global Visions Film Festival
Human Rights Watch International Film Festival
Vancouver International Film Festival
Trade Off tells the story of the five days in Seattle that shook the world - November 29 through December 3, 1999 - when the World Trade Organization's first meeting on U.S. soil was met with protests of tens of thousands of people from a broad coalition of diverse communities never seen before. Violent media images of "The Battle in Seattle" captured international headlines but did not answer key questions about what was at stake.
Shot entirely on location, this balanced overview of the protests moves through rallies, marches, street actions, and press conferences providing a voyeuristic exploration of this important week of protest and the people's movement that continues to build across the United States and around the world.
The issues raised by Trade Off are those faced by civil society--the effects of global trade policy on the environment and health, food and agriculture, labor and human rights, and the future of democracy around the world.
"No film better captures the spirit, chaos, joy, power and meaning of the Battle of Seattle, than Shaya Mercer's Trade Off. Made under the most difficult conditions, the film itself brings an articulate new voice to this historic chapter in American history."
--Jerry Mander, International Forum on Globalization
directed by Shaya Mercer
produced by Thomas Lee Wright
director of photography by Chris Towey
editor Charlotte Stobbs
90 minutes, color
(60 minute version available)
copyright 2000 Wright Angle Media
A Wright Films Production
Distributed by Eatwell Media
www.eatwellmedia.com
New Table of Contents
- Purchase a copy of Trade Off
- Learn more about the impacts of the WTO and globalization on human rights and the environment.
- Check out the trailer for the feature film, Battle in Seattle.
- Books & music by folks featured in Trade Off, and other recommendations.
- Were you in the Battle in Seattle? Have you seen Trade Off?
- New Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
- New Cost of the War in Iraq
Purchase a copy of Trade Off
Trade Off is available on DVD or VHS!
DVD Prices
Buy 1 $35.00
Buy 2 $65.00 (save $5)
Buy 3 $95.00 (save $10)
VHS Prices
Buy 1 $30.00
Buy 2 $55.00 (save $5)
Buy 3 $80.00 (save $10)
All prices include shipping, handling, and any applicable sales tax.
To purchase Trade Off online, go to www.eatwellmedia.com
To contact me, click on my username, shayamercer, in the upper right hand corner of the page next to my photo. Then click on the "contact me" link under the "become a fan" button.
Buy 1 $35.00
Buy 2 $65.00 (save $5)
Buy 3 $95.00 (save $10)
VHS Prices
Buy 1 $30.00
Buy 2 $55.00 (save $5)
Buy 3 $80.00 (save $10)
All prices include shipping, handling, and any applicable sales tax.
To purchase Trade Off online, go to www.eatwellmedia.com
To contact me, click on my username, shayamercer, in the upper right hand corner of the page next to my photo. Then click on the "contact me" link under the "become a fan" button.
Learn more about the impacts of the WTO and globalization on human rights and the environment.
Background info on the WTO
--from the Public Citizen website
Established in 1995, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a powerful new global commerce agency, which transformed the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) into an enforceable global commerce code. The WTO is one of the main mechanisms of corporate globalization.
Under the WTO's system of corporate-managed trade, economic efficiency, reflected in short-run corporate profits, dominates other values. Decisions affecting the economy are to be confined to the private sector, while social and environmental costs are borne by the public.
In November 1999, the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Third Ministerial Meeting in Seattle collapsed in spectacular fashion, in the face of unprecedented protest from people and governments around the world.
The WTO and GATT Uruguay Round Agreements have functioned principally to pry open markets for the benefit of transnational corporations at the expense of national and local economies; workers, farmers, indigenous peoples, women and other social groups; health and safety; the environment; and animal welfare. In addition, the WTO system, rules and procedures are undemocratic, un-transparent and non-accountable and have operated to marginalize the majority of the world's people.
--from the Public Citizen website
Established in 1995, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a powerful new global commerce agency, which transformed the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) into an enforceable global commerce code. The WTO is one of the main mechanisms of corporate globalization.
Under the WTO's system of corporate-managed trade, economic efficiency, reflected in short-run corporate profits, dominates other values. Decisions affecting the economy are to be confined to the private sector, while social and environmental costs are borne by the public.
In November 1999, the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Third Ministerial Meeting in Seattle collapsed in spectacular fashion, in the face of unprecedented protest from people and governments around the world.
The WTO and GATT Uruguay Round Agreements have functioned principally to pry open markets for the benefit of transnational corporations at the expense of national and local economies; workers, farmers, indigenous peoples, women and other social groups; health and safety; the environment; and animal welfare. In addition, the WTO system, rules and procedures are undemocratic, un-transparent and non-accountable and have operated to marginalize the majority of the world's people.
- Earthjustice
- Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth, and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment. We bring about far-reaching change by enforcing and strengthening environmental laws on behalf of hundreds of organizations, coalitions and communities.
- Greenpeace
- Greenpeace is the leading independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful direct action and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and to promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.
- Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
- The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy works locally and globally at the intersection of policy and practice to ensure fair and sustainable food, farm and trade systems.
- International Forum on Globalization
- THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON GLOBALIZATION (IFG) is a North-South research and educational institution composed of leading activists, economists, scholars, and researchers providing analyses and critiques on the cultural, social, political, and environmental impacts of economic globalization.
- Navdanya
- Navdanya started as a program of the Research Foundation for science, Technology and Ecology (RFSTE), a participatory research initiative founded by world-renowned scientist and environmentalist Dr. Vandana Shiva, to provide direction and support to environmental activism.
- Public Citizen
- Public Citizen is a national, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1971 to represent consumer interests in Congress, the executive branch and the courts.
PC fights for openness and democratic accountability in government, for the right of consumers to seek redress in the courts; for clean, safe and sustainable energy sources; for social and economic justice in trade policies; for strong health, safety and environmental protections; and for safe, effective and affordable prescription drugs and health care. - The Ruckus Society
- The Ruckus Society provides environmental, human rights, and social justice organizers with the tools, training, and support needed to achieve their goals.
- Sierra Club
- The Sierra Club's members and supporters are more than 1.3 million of your friends and neighbors. Inspired by nature, we work together to protect our communities and the planet. The Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.
Check out the trailer for the feature film, Battle in Seattle.
Starring Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson and Michele Rodriguez, Battle in Seattle is based on the events documented in Trade Off, coming to a theater near you!
Battle in Seattle opens in theaters September 19th, for more info go to www.battleinseattlemovie.com.
Books & music by folks featured in Trade Off, and other recommendations.
Support these good people, buy their stuff!
If you're going to buy something, at least buy something that will wake you up!
Were you in the Battle in Seattle? Have you seen Trade Off?
Share something that will inspire others to watch Trade Off and take action!
submit
-
Reply
-
green_writer
Sep 28, 2008 @ 8:57 am | delete
- I just saw Battle in Seattle last night and in looking for additional information on the WTO and the portests in Seattle came across your documentary. This is an interesting and important story that more people should know about. People need to wake up and take more control of their world.
-
New Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
New Cost of the War in Iraq
by shayamercer
shayamercer
Shaya Mercer is a recovering independent filmmaker.
Concerned about protecting the health of humans and the planet, she is currently making change on...
more »
- 1 featured lens
- Winner of 2 trophies!
- Top lens » Trade Off: Shaya Mercer's documentary about the WTO battle in Seattle
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
