George Orwell is one of the most complex figures of the modern world. Philosopher and author, his influence is such that his name has become an invocation of a certain type of occurrence. Born Eric Arthur Blair, in 1903, in Bengal, Orwell would live only 46 years. Yet, in that time he would write essays and novels that changed the world. Orwell: 2+2=5 takes its title from a key moment in his 1984. The documentary, written, produced and directed by Raoul Peck, is a scathing indictment and paralleling, of authoritarianism.
Casting the English actor, Damien Lewis, in a voice role as Orwell, the film takes the viewer on a journey through the life and letters of its subject, with Orwell as narrator of onscreen events. There is as much history here as there is the present, and the paralleling is at times overwhelming, not because it is poorly handled but because it is so vital. The film achieves this through archival photos, films, newsreels, documentary of the period and various speeches.
Through intense editorial choices and with an unnerving score by Alexei Aigui, Peck examines authoritarianism throughout the 20th century and how current events might resemble some of the work to which Orwell dedicated his life. Here, however, the ambition may sometimes exceed the final delivery. Peck’s previous work, I Am Not Your Negro, also suffered at times from similar weakness. Yet, this is not a film without merit.
Courtesy Neon
One interesting choice is the use of AI, here incorporated to show how it may be used for disinformation, an important theme in Orwell’s work. There is also wonderful use of bio-fictional material showing Orwell in Scotland, with his adopted son. Indeed, this section may make one wish to seek out that original work. The main point of all this, of course, is to show how Orwell did not so much predict as analyze and conclude. He understood how things fit together and gave warnings, not lessons on how to achieve nefarious deeds.
Much like 2024’s Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat, this is a fiercely political, polemical work of movie making. Yet, for all the obviousness in both works, they share in common the thread of being vital because they serve to inform a wider audience about issues they may not be as aware of as some would prefer to believe. As such, this is a very successful documentary.
Expanding upon more than a century of geopolitics, Peck uses Orwell’s private history to interrogate his writings and the course of events leading up to and following the publication of those works. This may not have the thriller aspect of Soundtrack, but it is no less intellectually compelling. Animal Farm, of course, gets quite a bit of exposure here, yet one cannot help but wish the film had given even more time to his voluminous essays and speeches than it already does.
Courtesy Neon
It has been noted how effective the editing is, in this film, and that is important, because what is and is not seen, and how it is presented, is something in which Orwell was invested. He was also just as invested in the who and the why. Peck, acting as our guide, shapes our images and as viewers, asks us to go along with him. Yet, what would Orwell do? Indeed, is Peck playing with us, or even challenging us, to resist simply accepting what we are told? If that is true, this could be a more important work-and a real warning-than it first appears. While this may not be the year’s best documentary, it might be the most politically urgent, and well worth seeing,
Orwell: 2+2=5 is now available on VOD
Really looking forward to this one