"Battle in Seattle" shows at DNC

KUSA - Stuart Townsend remembers vividly watching the live reports out of Seattle, Washington in 1999 as protests got out of hand at the World Trade Organization's Ministerial Conference.

He was compelled to look into what happened further. His interest led to a years worth of research and the writing of a screenplay.

"Battle in Seattle" was also produced by the actor (he does not appear in the film). "Battle in Seattle" is also Townsend's directorial debut and was shown this week at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

To research exactly how the events unfolded, Townsend scoured through media coverage of the protests but he had to look deeper. He found that the media only told the story of the 50 or so protestors who stirred the tensions that led to a huge riot and then, a stand off between protestors and police officers and the National Guard.

Townsend wrote storylines of many characters who found themselves in Seattle (by accident or on purpose) when the riots broke out. His cast includes Charlize Theron, Ray Liotta and Woody Harrelson. For more information on the film:http://www.battleinseattlemovie.com/

"Battle in Seattle" in one of the movies being shown during the 4-day Impact Film Festival at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions.

Impact's website declares that it "represents the most powerful, thought provoking,and relevant independent films of the past year, exploring subjects that are foremost on the minds of the activists, delegates, party leaders and candidates."

For more on this film festival:http://www.impactfilmfestival.org/