“Exterminate all Brutes” Episodes 1+2

Exterminate All the Brutes
(d. Raoul Peck, 2021)
239 minutes total

Exterminate All the Brutes is an eye-opening journey through time, offering an incisive look at the history of European colonialism in Africa and the Americas. The groundbreaking series explores the lasting impact of exploitation and genocide on society today, pushing the boundaries of traditional documentary filmmaking by weaving director Raoul Peck’s (I Am Not Your Negro) personal voyage into the darkest hours of humanity with scripted scenes starring Josh Hartnett (Pearl Harbor). Across four episodes, Peck deconstructs the making and masking of history, digs deep into the ideology of white supremacy, and challenges audiences to rethink the very notion of how history is written.

EPISODE ONE: In the series premiere, “The Disturbing Confidence of Ignorance,” filmmaker Raoul Peck sets out to illuminate the intertwined currents of hate and bigotry running through history. Focusing on the United States’ legacy as a colonial power, Peck explores how race first became institutionalized, the Nazi program of “elimination” and its antecedents in the West, and the looting of the African continent in a “gentlemen’s agreement.”

EPISODE TWO: In the second episode, “Who the F* is Columbus,” Peck revisits the stories of Christopher Columbus, the Alamo, and the Trail of Tears from an indigenous perspective, showing how “official” history is shaped by those in power and solidified by myth and popular culture. Next, he examines the “doctrine of discovery” used to justify the enslavement of millions of Africans and questions his own story within these narratives.

Mr. Patrick Patterson is the Assistant Vice President of the Longhorn Center for School Partnerships at The University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Patterson helps run the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE). The DDCE cultivates an inclusive campus culture that actively and intentionally engages diverse people, ideas, and perspectives to create a vibrant learning and working environment. It is a national model for integrating diversity and community engagement into the core mission of a university.  His portfolio currently serve 40,000 pre-college students state-wide.

Mr. Patterson has an extensive and decorated career in education. He is known for his ability to relate to students and their parents. He has been principal at schools that underperformed and led them to state and national recognition! In 2009, Mr. Patterson was named Principal of the Year in Austin ISD;  and in 2010, Administrator of the Year by the Texas Assoc. of Journalism Educators. Also, in 2010, Mr. Patterson retired from Austin Independent School District (AISD). He is the only person in the history of AISD to have served as principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels!

He has been a speaker and has done numerous conferences that revolved around educating minorities.

 Dr. Megan McGregor is an Associate Professor of History at Austin Community College. She received her PhD from the University of Oklahoma, where she specialized in modern U.S History with an emphasis on American Nationalism. Dr. McGregor also has presented research and taught classes in Native American history, Latin American history, and U.S. women’s history.