Screamers (2006)

66% of critics liked it
(32 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(1,042 ratings)

As Armenian-American rockers System of a Down wage a heated musical campaign for the Turkish government to finally acknowledge the 1915 Armenian genocide that is still denied by the powers that be, filmmaker Carla Garapedian explores the origins of the crime often considered the 20th century's first… More As Armenian-American rockers System of a Down wage a heated musical campaign for the Turkish government to finally acknowledge the 1915 Armenian genocide that is still denied by the powers that be, filmmaker Carla Garapedian explores the origins of the crime often considered the 20th century's first act of mass slaughter. System of a Down are the rarest of the rare in contemporary music -- a band with a true cause. Now, as Garapedian follows the members of the band to rallies staged specifically to get the U.S. government to acknowledge this long-forgotten tragedy, music fans will finally find out just what an impact the actions of one band can have on the modern interpretation of history. With powerful concert performance footage intercut with sobering political commentary, Garapedian's documentary proves without question that, even in a world where the Dixie Chicks are castigated for their "controversial" comments, some bands are still willing to take a stand. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Carla Garapedian
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Dec 8, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Jun 26, 2007
Studio: Maya Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Stephen Cole, Globe and Mail
Is it possible to get mad at a film that has its heart and soul in the right place?
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Despite the noble effort, the medium and the message just don't mix.
, Chicago Reader
Grating concert footage trivializes Garapedian's message. (One fan, celebrating the band's political potency, enthuses that 'System is antiwar, they're anti-this, anti-that.')
Bill Stamets, Chicago Sun-Times
Armenian-American director Carla Garapedian, who got a doctorate in international relations at the London School of Economics, presents a wide-awake, high-decibel briefing on foreign policy.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
This film has provocations to spare; it just hasn't been made provocatively. It's a mess, actually.
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
Screamers is a commendably brave piece, but less focused and powerful than you'd like.
Jim Slotek, Jam! Movies
An odd duck of a documentary, but a powerful one.
Phil Hall, EDGE Boston
The Armenian genocide and the continuing Turkish denial of history. The film offers damning evidence that the highly civilized European Union should do everything it can to keep the highly uncivilized Turks from becoming equals in EU membership.
Brian Tallerico, UGO
Screamers isn't didactic; it doesn't tell you how to respond. It just wants you to know and to ask questions.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Cannot decide if it wants to be a documentary about the band System of a Down or what the band is about.
Melissa Anderson, Time Out New York
The film's composite testimony, from the charismatic band and more-metaphorical screamers such as politicians, scholars and eyewitnesses, is both scary and motivating.
Louis Proyect, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Despite a limited understanding of why genocide occurs, a worthwhile introduction to one of the 20th century's greatest crimes.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
... rousing concert film ...

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MJS M

A documentary about the Armenian genocide of 1915 and the fight to have it acknowledged by the U.S. and U.K. governments. The film focuses in particular on the activism of the heavy metal band System of a Down regarding this issue. In particular the film focuses on the importance of… More
A documentary about the Armenian genocide of 1915 and the fight to have it acknowledged by the U.S. and U.K. governments. The film focuses in particular on the activism of the heavy metal band System of a Down regarding this issue. In particular the film focuses on the importance of acknowledging history, on the issue of genocide in general, and the challenges that governments face when addressing genocides. The film?s ultimate message is that the world must be completely ill-equipped to deal with the type of genocide going on today in Darfur if they cannot even acknowledge something that occurred 90 years ago. The film does feature extensive interviews with System of a Down and some concert footage, it was probably made to reach fans of the band (like myself), but it mostly stays focused on their activities related to the issue at hand. It?s about 30% SOAD, and 70% completely unrelated discussions of the genocide, which is probably just the right ratio.

Cast
            
            Adam Schiff
            
            Samantha Power
            
            Serj Tankian
            
            John Dolmayan
            
            Daron Malakian
            
            Shavo Odadjian
            
            Aram Hamparian
            
            Stepan Haytayan
            
            Maritza Ohanesian
            
            J. Michael Hagopian
            
            Verjin Mempreian
            
            Greg Topalian
            
            Henry Morgenthau III
            
            Lord Shannon
            
            Lord Avebury
            
            Baroness Cox
            
            Charles Tannock
            
            Tom Tsvann
            
            Peter Galbraith
            
            Vartkes Yeghiayan
            
            Sibel Edmonds
            
            Taner Akcam
            
            Hrant Dink
            
            Appo Jabarian
            
            Ara Sarafian
            
            Salih Booker
            
            Dennis Hastert
            
See full cast

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Screamers (2006)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

MJS M

Cast

Trailers & Clips

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