‘Orwell: 2+2=5’ Review: Raoul Peck’s Dynamic Look at Big Brother and Other Tyrants

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George Orwell’s reputation has fluctuated throughout the years of revisionism, but his piercing observations about empire, power, and totalitarianism remain timeless. This is especially true for his last work, the prophetic dystopia 1984. Released 76 years ago, this novel forms the heart of Raoul Peck’s documentary depiction of Orwell. Through a vibrant blend of biography and intellectual core, and with Donald Trump’s re-election serving as a striking trigger for its relevance, Orwell: 2+2=5 explores how Orwell’s ideas shed light on a century’s worth of geopolitics.

In his work, Peck delves into Orwell’s perspective with empathy and indignation, drawing parallels to James Baldwin’s powerful moral insight. He uses a mix of historical documents, fresh footage, captivating snippets from various documentaries and plays – such as multiple adaptations of ‘1984’ and ‘Animal Farm’, along with a remarkable visual presentation – including a list of books censored in the U.S. and worldwide, and an authentic dictionary of Newspeak terms that provides significant value for viewers.

Damian Lewis effectively conveyed the words in the film, which were penned by Orwell, with a rich and personal gravity. These words appeared in his letters, books, and essays. The movie succinctly highlights crucial instances from Orwell’s life that marked his political awakening. His experiences as a police officer in Burma (now Myanmar), under British occupation, ignited a deep understanding of the injustices of imperialism. As a member of Britain’s “lower upper middle class,” he had insight into how social hierarchy shaped people’s identities and personalities. John Huston filmed additional footage in this location for the movie.

Another location where Peck collected footage is the windswept Scottish island of Jura. It was here, in a secluded farmhouse, that the widowed Orwell spent a substantial part of his last years, nurturing his young son and penning “Nineteen-Eighty Four,” which was published in June 1949 under

In a letter, Orwell expressed a mixed feeling about his wartime job at the BBC that likely resonates with modern journalists in corporate media today. He admitted to being aware of their manipulation, but also stated that he believed he had managed to make their propaganda slightly less distasteful than it potentially could have been during his tenure there.

In Peck’s documentary, the relationship between media and government is a significant focus, mirroring the theme in “1984” where the Ministry of Truth constantly rewrites history and Newspeak, a language used for propaganda, is employed. The director skillfully presents a collection of terms and phrases that have been misused as political discourse throughout the years, which Orwell referred to as prefabricated verbiage. Some examples given are “peacekeeping operations,” “collateral damage,” “illegals,” “campaign finance,” “recession,” and in one of the film’s striking critiques, “antisemitism 2024.

Although it touches on similar themes as Orwell’s observations, the film doesn’t delve quite as deeply. It often follows contemporary viewpoints when selecting its examples, but manages to present insightful quotes that blur the lines between them. As Orwell put it, “Everyone believes in the atrocities of their enemies and disregards those of their own side without bothering to check the facts.

From George Orwell and my personal journey through political ups and downs, I’ve learned a vital lesson: When either half of America’s two dominant parties claims that a new conflict is essential, they’re likely deceiving us. Orwell’s cautions hold true in various scenarios, not just when tyrants and their followers openly flaunt fascism. If the filmmaker chooses to address the anti-Trump crowd, his message becomes overly dramatic in a somewhat dubious transition from footage of 1946 Ukrainian public executions of Nazis to the turmoil at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Although it may not be as powerful or free from flaws as Peck’s 2016 documentary on Baldwin, the film Orwell: 2+2=5 is essential viewing. George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair, was driven to write due to a strong sense of injustice and an urge to uncover deceit. By illuminating Orwell’s immortal words in a new way and surrounding his message with other dissident voices, Peck provides a chilling warning of the dangers inherent in our technology-driven era characterized by doublethink and thoughtcrime, the world that Orwell predicted and which we now inhabit – a world where we have been straying from the right path for quite some time.

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2025-05-17 22:54