Raoul Peck's 'Orwell: 2+2=5' Documentary Explores Authoritarian Power and Modern Dystopia

The forthcoming documentary "Orwell: 2+2=5," directed by Raoul Peck, offers a biographical portrait of George Orwell alongside a contemporary reflection on the enduring relevance of his novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four." Narrated by Damian Lewis, the film premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and has been praised for its poetic and compelling assembly of Orwell's life, political insights, and archival footage, highlighting the ongoing global struggles with authoritarianism. The film's title references Orwell's famous dystopian concept where the state imposes its version of reality, symbolized by the insistence that 2+2=5, illustrating the psychological control wielded by totalitarian regimes. This theme resonates with current political climates, as demonstrated by the surge in the book's sales during Donald Trump's presidency and the usage of terms like "alternative facts." Complementing the film's release, local events like the "2025 is so 1984" discussion at Skidmore College aim to foster community dialogue about censorship and the relevance of banned books, particularly Orwell's work. These initiatives underscore a broader cultural and political engagement with Orwell's warnings about power, truth, and the fragility of freedom.