Exterminate All the Brutes (HBO)

About Exterminate All the Brutes (HBO)

"Exterminate All the Brutes" is a four-part, 2021 HBO docuseries by acclaimed filmmaker Raoul Peck. This series delves into the exploitative and brutal history of colonialism, uncovering the roots of white supremacy, ethnocentrism and capitalistic ideologies. The series reflects on the social, political, and human consequences of colonization from America to Africa. Narrated by Peck himself, he intertwines lectures, personal background, archive footage, and beautifully animated sequences to challenge the audience's perceptions of historical narratives.

Making / Production

This challenging and bold docuseries was crafted by Raoul Peck – an esteemed filmmaker known for "I Am Not Your Negro" and "The Young Karl Marx." Not only did he direct the series, he also wrote and produced it. His motive was to confront the audience with the horrible truths of colonialism, making use of Sven Lindqvist's book which shares a title with the series.

Actors

• Raoul Peck: As the narrator, Peck guides viewers through the complex themes and harsh realities of colonialism, providing his personal insights and perspectives.
• Josh Hartnett: The American actor appears in dramatized sequences, playing different colonizers. His portrayal of various colonizing figures illuminates the brutal nature of colonizers.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The title of the series is derived from the phrase "Exterminate All the Brutes" from Joseph Conrad's novella "Heart of Darkness," which is itself a ferocious critique of colonialism.
• The docuseries is an adaptation of three works, "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.
• Raoul Peck is the first Haitian filmmaker to gain international prominence and recognition.

Quotes

• "The very existence of this film is a miracle." – Raoul Peck
• "History, as it is taught, consecrates the accomplished fact." – Raoul Peck

Music, Soundtrack

• The overpowering music sets the tone of the series, often mirroring the intense themes tackled on screen. The score was composed by Alexei Aigui.

As of now, the series has not won any awards since it recently debuted in 2021. Nonetheless, it stands as a potent and significant contribution to the dialogue around the horrifying history and lasting effects of colonial violence.