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Adam Schiff, Samantha Power, Serj Tankian, John Dolmayan, Daron Malakian ... see more see more... , 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

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, fi... read more read more...lmmaker 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

Flixster Users

83% liked it

1,042 ratings

Critics

66% liked it

32 critics

R, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: Carla Garapedian

Release Date: December 8, 2006

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DVD Release Date: June 26, 2007

Stats: 69 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (69)

  • Dracula787
    December 22, 2008
    Dracula787
    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 importan... read morece 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.
  • tomoeDave
    September 16, 2010
    tomoeDave
    Bad music, boring band clips, meandering story, random strangers. Not exactly bad, but not successful or good by any standard. The Armenian holocaust deserves a better recounting, and better accompaniment.
  • cj11sme
    June 17, 2010
    cj11sme
    SUMMARY: this is a documentary about the armenian genocide and how it affects my all time favorite band System Of A Down, the government, other geocides, and the people.

    POSITIVES: like every ten minutes there was a live performance from my all time favorite band System Of A D... read moreown! Their songs are protesting armenian genocide awareness and other important political issues. This film was not only putting the connection from their songs and their true meanings, but also realizing how terrible the word genocide really is. Wheither it be from the extermination of the jews back in the holocaust, or the killings in rwanda and darfur recently. Now documentarys for the most part are super boring but this one wasnt bad at all ( i bet u by now know why).

    IMPROVEMENTS: MORE SYSTEM OF A DOWN SONGS!!

    OVERALL: I learned much more about genocide as a word and how the government sees it. This was entertaining and i wish System Of A Down was still playing as a band. Anyways i'd rate this 3 in a half SOAD songs outta 5 (3.5/5 - Chop Suey, Awta, BYOB, and Soldier Side).
  • sinaminprimrose
    June 5, 2009
    sinaminprimrose
    i own it and it really opens ur eyes up to the heartbreak of genocide. Also SOAD music is right on time. Excellent documentary.

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Critic Reviews

Stephen Cole
June 8, 2007
Stephen Cole, Globe and Mail

Is it possible to get mad at a film that has its heart and soul in the right place? Full Review

John Monaghan
May 4, 2007
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press

Despite the noble effort, the medium and the message just don't mix. Full Review

February 9, 2007
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.') Full Review

Bill Stamets
February 9, 2007
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. Full Review

Wesley Morris
February 9, 2007
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

This film has provocations to spare; it just hasn't been made provocatively. It's a mess, actually. Full Review

Michael Wilmington
February 8, 2007
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

Screamers is a commendably brave piece, but less focused and powerful than you'd like. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
January 31, 2007
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

System of a Down, whose members are the grandsons of genocide survivors, anchor this musical and political documentary with surprising gravitas, and the film offers true insight into the patterns of w... Full Review

Richard Leiby
January 26, 2007
Richard Leiby, Washington Post

Rife with rotting corpses, severed heads and massacred children, Screamers is one of the most horrifying movies I've ever seen. Full Review

Kyle Smith
January 26, 2007
Kyle Smith, New York Post

... one of the most bizarre documentaries you'll ever not see ... Full Review

Elizabeth Weitzman
January 26, 2007
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

Fans are, obviously, most likely to appreciate the concert footage that's woven throughout the film. Full Review

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