About Exterminate All the Brutes

"Exterminate All the Brutes" is a 2021 American television docuseries. It is a visually rich and poignant exploration of the exploitative and genocidal aspects of European colonialism. The series traverses continents and centuries to shed new light on the horrifying history of racial inequality. Combining meticulous historical research with personal reflections, it illuminates the brutal history of colonialism and racial injustice.

Making / Production

The series is directed by Raoul Peck, known for his Academy Award–nominated documentary “I Am Not Your Negro.” It is an ambitious hybrid of documentary and scripted drama, filled with archival footage, animation, and interpretive reenactments.

Actors

• Josh Hartnett - Featured in one of the interpretive reenactments, he capitalizes on his ability to portray innocence intersecting with ignorance in the face of harsh truths.
• Raoul Peck - As the director, he guides this cinematic journey with a firm and audacious hand, while also serving as the narrator.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series is based on three works of literature: "Exterminate All the Brutes" by Sven Lindqvist, "Silencing the Past" by Michel-Rolph Trouillot, and "An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz.
• This is not the first time Raoul Peck has worked with HBO, he also directed "I Am Not Your Negro."

Quotes

• "The very existence of this film is a miracle." - Raoul Peck
• "The monstrous aspect is that even today, data and historical commentary are still being clumsily manipulated." - Raoul Peck

Music, Soundtrack

• The original score for the series was composed by Alexei Aigui, who created a haunting soundtrack that elevates the narrative impact.