Raoul Peck on His Cannes-Bound George Orwell Documentary and the Threat of Dictatorship: ‘Terror Comes Slowly’

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As a cinema enthusiast, I’m excitedly looking forward to next month’s Cannes Film Festival, where my George Orwell documentary, “Orwell: 2+2=5,” will be screened. This week, at the Visions du Réel documentary festival where I am this year’s honored guest, I issued a stark warning about the alarming surge of autocracy across the globe.

As a movie reviewer, I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on an upcoming film titled “Orwell: 2+2=5,” set to premiere in Cannes’ Prestigious First Section. This captivating production is a joint effort with the Orwell estate and promises an immersive exploration of George Orwell’s final days, along with delving into his enduring legacy. The narrative will also shed light on his groundbreaking novel, “1984,” which continues to resonate profoundly in our contemporary society.

On Thursday, Thierry Frémaux, head of Cannes, stated during a press conference that Peck’s movie will focus on “the power and timeliness of his ideas, and his foresight into what might happen to societies if we don’t protect them. This was a concern in the 1930s and 1940s, but perhaps we didn’t heed the warning enough, and the film suggests that we may not be far from repeating this today.

At a packed masterclass held at Visions du Réel, Peck made a spine-tingling comparison between George Orwell’s prophetic warnings and the present political environment.

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Speaking to a full house at Visions du Réel, Peck highlighted an eerie similarity between the predictions of George Orwell and today’s political scene.

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In front of a packed crowd at Visions du Réel, Peck pointed out a chilling parallel between what George Orwell warned about and our current political landscape.

Peck expressed that he was discussing Orwell’s ‘Newspeak.’ He stated that words lack significance and science holds no importance. Truth appears nonexistent with the concept of ‘alternative facts.’ He described our current world as being inverted, where people seem to be silent. He explained that fear creeps up on us slowly, this is terror. Peck, who escaped Haiti’s Duvalier dictatorship at the age of 8 with his family, conveyed these thoughts.

They eliminated anyone who didn’t openly back the newly established government. After experiencing life under authoritarian rule, one can identify the warning signs we observe now: when reporters bow their heads, when no one dares to challenge the ruler’s claims, when no one questions the sanity of the leader’s statements.

Speaking with EbMaster in March regarding the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, Peck stated that the global community is under the control of “unpredictable individuals” who have jeopardized the lives of countless people. Furthermore, he likened the “Project 2025” manifesto backed by Trump supporters to “Mein Kampf.

Peck’s work centers around dismantling systemic racism. His works such as “I Am Not Your Negro” (2016), an Oscar-nominated film inspired by civil rights activist James Baldwin’s writings, and his Peabody-winning HBO series “Exterminate All the Brutes” (2021) delve into the origins of racial violence and colonialism on a global scale.

Peck is focused on tearing down systemic racism in his work. His movie “I Am Not Your Negro” from 2016, which was inspired by civil rights activist James Baldwin’s writings, and his HBO series “Exterminate All the Brutes” from 2021 explore the causes of racial violence and colonialism throughout the world.

Was questioned if he had complete creative freedom by HBO, Peck responded: “I knew it might be my final American production, but how could one criticize a film that tackles the Holocaust, slavery, the genocide of Native Americans, and demonstrates their interconnectedness? In the movie, I inquire, ‘Make America Great Again’ – when, precisely, was America at its best?” This statement earned approval from the VdR crowd.

As a vocal opponent of Trump, Peck asserts that he’s always been accountable for his statements, and when his artistic liberty is at stake, he prefers to move to another location instead.

He expressed that it was crucial for him to portray his vision on screen, challenge established stories, and build a new world for future generations. He doesn’t have a specific plan – instead, he combines various ideas that provide an alternative perspective. He emphasized that filmmaking is not just a job, but a mission, one of liberty and courage. With each film he creates, he knows it could be his last, and ‘Exterminate All the Brutes’ might be his final work in the U.S.

Peck, who seamlessly moves between documentaries and fictional works, also expressed regret over the present condition of non-fiction movie production.

He stated that the documentary industry has undergone a significant overhaul due to money and streaming platforms, likening it to a cataclysmic change. Over the last decade, many individuals assumed they could amass wealth by producing documentaries, not realizing that a documentary isn’t a commodity. Instead, it requires time, perseverance, and insight.

He commented: “Securing funding without restrictions is becoming increasingly difficult. Consider Trump’s actions: One of his initial moves was to target institutions that continue to back independent filmmakers, particularly those labeled as ‘diversity’ initiatives – which mainly refers to Black filmmakers, women, and LGBTQ+ filmmakers.

According to Peck, the documentary bubble has popped. Many individuals had poured a great deal of capital into this field, but now find themselves financially struggling or unable to sell their documentaries to streaming platforms because these platforms have narrowed down their preferred genres to include true crime, comedy, horror, and celebrity scandals.

In 1993, Peck made his Cannes debut with “The Man by the Shore,” competing in the main festival. His second appearance came in 2000 with “Lumumba,” which was shown in Directors’ Fortnight, a sidebar event. Fourteen years later, he joined the main jury. Last year, he clinched the Œil d’Or for best documentary with “Ernest Cole: Lost and Found,” sharing the award with co-directors Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir for “The Brink of Dreams.” Now, in 2023, his film “Orwell: 2+2=5” is premiering at Cannes for the fourth time.

Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions, in collaboration with Peck’s Velvet Films, Universal Pictures Content Group, Nick Shumaker’s Anonymous Content, and Closer Media, have jointly produced a film titled ‘Orwell: 2+2=5.’ The North American distribution rights for this movie are managed by Neon, a two-time Academy Award winner for ‘Anora’ and ‘Parasite.’

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2025-04-11 12:47