Dealing and Wheeling in Small Arms (2006)
-
50% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
100% of users liked it
(30 ratings)
Director Sander Francken ponders the manner in which small arms produced in developed countries rule and ruin the lives of those living in developing countries in this ambitious documentary that's half exposé, and half horrifying reality show. Conversations with the very people whose livelihoods… More Director Sander Francken ponders the manner in which small arms produced in developed countries rule and ruin the lives of those living in developing countries in this ambitious documentary that's half exposé, and half horrifying reality show. Conversations with the very people whose livelihoods depend on the ongoing demand for small arms around the globe afford Francken the rare opportunity to ponder the causes and impact of trade both legal and illegal, while an investigation into the origins of the weapons reveals how brokers purchase guns collected by the EU and NATO during their mission in Bosnia, and quickly transfer the firearms to African battlefields. There, the locals continue to perpetuate the cycle of violence simply because they were instructed to take up arms against their neighbors. Shot on location in the United States, the Netherlands, Cambodia, Eastern Congo, Uganda, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, and Germany, Dealing and Wheeling in Small Arms posits that the brand of deadly paranoia used to ensure that the killing goes on unabated is actually part of a larger plan of premeditated political destabilization designed to economically exploit the precious natural resources of smaller, undeveloped countries. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Sander Francken
- Genres
- Documentary, Special Interest
- In Theaters
- Sep 29, 2006 Wide
Critic Reviews
-
Joshua Land, Time Out
The apparent intent is to inform the public about the evils associated with the small-arms trade, but Dealing lacks the big-picture political grounding of Hubert Sauper's terrific 2004 documentary, Darwin's Nightmare.
-
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Dealing and Wheeling in Small Arms is a depressing, scattershot survey of the spread of weaponry around the world, especially in Africa.
-
Vadim Rizov, Village Voice
If nothing else in Sander Francken's conscientious documentary on illicit arms trading packs the same kick (there's something powerful in outrageous behavior presented without editorial), it's still worthy without turning outright dull.
-
Matthew Nestel, Boxoffice Magazine
With incredible self-restraint and tactical acumen, Dealing and Wheelingâ(TM)s Dutch director Sander Francken delicately throws salt on a gaping wound.
-
Simon Abrams, Slant Magazine
Dealing and Wheeling's argument is almost entirely based on the emotional resonance that its straight-laced reportage evokes, which is effectively zilch.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Vanessa Redgrave
as Narrator