ORWELL 2+2=5 is a 2025 documentary written, produced and directed by Raoul Peck. It follows the career of George Orwell, particularly the lessons learned from his novel 1984, and how his political observations are so relevant in present day authoritarianism.
Through archive photos, newsreel films, contemporary documents, notorious speeches, Raoul Peck investigates how early 20th century authoritarianism still echoes in contemporary life, especially during ongoing conflicts threatening democracy and public liberties, such as the Myanmar Civil War, the Russia-Ukraine War, the US War on Terror and the January 6 Capitol Attack.
Born Eric Arthur Blair, George Orwell, authored legendary novels like the allegorical Animal Farm and the dystopian 1984, has been called one of the most insightful writers of the 20th century. And in light of recent history, he’s also been widely regarded as one of the most prescient, a plain-speaking scribe who clearly foresaw the future long before it happened and wasn’t afraid to plainly call it for what it would become. This production from prolific activist/documentarian Raoul Peck who weaves together a biography of the author, the central themes of his journalistic and literary works and illustrations of how those notions have been manipulated in social, political and world affairs over the years, with a heavy emphasis on the present day.
While Peck mainly targets the policies and practices of the Right, he’s not shy taking on anyone whose dogma is so rigid that it throws circumstances off balance for everyone. Most notably, though, the picture details just how insidious these initiatives can be, agendas accomplished through the handling of language, media, beliefs and actions that lead to intentional, calculated and shameful obfuscation, creating purposely misleading impressions in the minds of an unwittingly susceptible public. The narrative places much emphasis on double-talk expressions like “War is Peace,” “Freedom is Slavery,” and “Ignorance is Strength” slogans that say nothing but are widely embraced with relentless and intimidating repetition.
The director’s inclusion of these references thus depicts the deliberate war on truth waged by those in power who will do anything to maintain their control over it, particularly when dealing with a compliant, acquiescent population. These themes are accompanied by an array of clips from other fictional and documentary works, such as: I, Daniel Black, Land and Freedom, Minority Report, and Orwell Rolls in his Grave, to name just a few.
Damien Lewis enhances the project with voice over sequences from Orwell’s own writings. Although comprehensive in outlook, some aspects of this offering could use some work, most notably in the organisation of its content, its over-reliance at times on material that needs to be read and there is occasionally a tendency towards repetitiveness. Some of the imagery is graphically disturbing, but nevertheless, this is an important film for our times considering the stakes involved.
Turning a blind eye might be easy to do in the moment– but not in the long run.
