If the goal of the documentary was to portray French eco-activists as backward marginals, using outdated technologies and attacking the police without any argumentation, armed with rubber boats meant for swimming pools, and further to fuel viewers' hatred with endlessly long shots where nothing happens, then it was somewhat successful. However, I doubt that was the intended purpose.
Seriously, in 3.5 hours, it would have been possible to tell the whole story with all points of view and explanations, which obviously exist. Instead, the viewer is forced to watch for 3.5 hours either actions that by today's standards seem simply silly and ineffective, or just nothing at all. The average shot feels like it lasts for 10 minutes, 10 minutes during which nothing is explained. Then another 10 minutes where nothing is explained... And so on until the victorious end. It's up to the viewer to provide explanations for what's happening.
No, this is a bad approach for a documentary film.
Seriously, in 3.5 hours, it would have been possible to tell the whole story with all points of view and explanations, which obviously exist. Instead, the viewer is forced to watch for 3.5 hours either actions that by today's standards seem simply silly and ineffective, or just nothing at all. The average shot feels like it lasts for 10 minutes, 10 minutes during which nothing is explained. Then another 10 minutes where nothing is explained... And so on until the victorious end. It's up to the viewer to provide explanations for what's happening.
No, this is a bad approach for a documentary film.
