On 15 February 2003, an incredible 15 million people found their feet in an event that would make history. Mobilised on the streets of 800 cities, there was one simple aim: to try to stop the war in Iraq.
They were of many religions, colours and classes, but their united cry to give peace a chance fell on deaf ears. In the longer term it has proved a story still unfolding.
In Germany, on that weekend, documentary maker Amir Amirani, was attending the Berlin Film Festival.
“I found myself on the streets, marching with 500,000 people against the Iraq War. Like many others, it was the first time I'd demonstrated about anything,” he says.
“On returning home, friends told me of the amazing day in London, where the crowd was two million strong. The Guardian later said that up to 30 million people might have marched worldwide.
I also realised that something like that does not just happen. There was a story to be told."
Amir Amirani
Twelve long years later, the story has been told. We Are Many is Amirani’s feature film debut revealing the inside story behind the biggest protest in history.
Filmed across all seven continents over a period of nine years, We Are Many chronicles the people power movements now sweeping the world, from opposition to the Iraq War, to the Arab Spring and Syria.
The film goes on general release this weekend but before that, there will be a special screening this Thursday (May 21) at cinemas across the UK, including Liverpool's FACT and The Vue at Cheshire Oaks.Afterwards, journalist and broadcaster Jon Snow will host a live streamed discussion with director Amirani, Blur frontman and film contributor Damon Albarn, executive producer and comedian Omid Djalili, convenor of the Stop The War Coalition Lindsey German, professor of international law at UCL Philippe Sands QC, and actor Greg Wise.
Amirani says: “It didn't matter where you marched - there was even a demonstration in Antarctica - the important thing was that you took part. I felt that day, 15 February 2003, heralded something, a new phenomenon that went to the heart of the public's relationship with politics and each other.”
We Are Many features rare and never-before-seen footage and interviews with prominent figures from the anti-war community. We are also promised “astonishingly frank inside accounts” from those who actually launched the war and the shockwaves of public opinion.
A star-studded cast of contributors have their say including Damon Albarn, the late Tony Benn, Hans Blix, Richard Branson John le Carré, Noam Chomsky, Brian Eno, Lindsey German, Danny Glover, Jesse Jackson, Ken Loach and Mark Rylance.
Liverpool-born comedian, actor and author Alexei Sayle says: "We were right. There were no weapons of mass destruction and it was clear that there never were. It was obvious. The people that said there were, they need to admit the war was fought on a lie, but they won't."
*We Are Many, FACT Picturehouse/VUE, Cheshire Oaks, Thursday May 21, 7pm. Tickets and info here
