superb and dense examination of the rulers of today's world
Added 9/25/2009
Based on sceenwriter Joel Bakan's book, "The Corporation: A Pathological Pursuit of Power", this compelling documentary is a lengthy (145 minute) disquisition on the place of the corporation in the world today, a brief on its history and the disquieting notion that the profit motive of large transnationals has all but usurped the democratic voting processes of governments. Of course it is largely a left-wing work, but it is much more nuanced and wider-ranging than something like Michael Moore's works and contains long interviews with numerous luminaries from the academic, activist and corporate worlds. I wish that the filmmakers had chosen other, more eloquent and less out-of-touch intellectuals on the right than the sole example we see (Milton Friedman) but on the whole it's a stunning, depressing work with mere glimmers of hope near the end. Those that have read Kirkpatrick Sale (Rebels Against the Future) will be at home in this work.
The film is structured in a multitude of chapters; at first short, terse, more humorous and wide-ranging, but gradually building to a climax of sorts as it gives more detailed views of "case studies" to support its thesis that a corporation, if it really were a person (and, in the USA, it is in many ways a legal human), would be considered pathological in its total disregard for anything other than the profit motive. One great piece involves the whistleblowers who produced a significant documentary about Monsanto's pushing rBGH into milk production and lying about its harmful effects, only to see the powerful corporation for which they worked (FoxNews) rework the film to placate Monsanto, then fire them....an even more awful example of the negative motives of these transnationals is the story of how California-based Bechtel at one point owned the rights to all water in on of the largest cities in Bolivia -- including rainwater -- and forced people to pay up to a quarter of their pay to have the right to drink (and live).
Interviewees, besides Friedman and Moore (much more restrained and thoughtful here than usual) include Chomsky, Zinn, Janet Akre (former FoxNews correspondent), Naomi Klein and several current and ex-CEOs, most notably Ray Anderson the CEO of Interface, the largest commercial carpet manufacturer in the world and one of the few execs who seems to really be looking at the larger, environmental and holistic picture. Other CEOs come off as completely unaware, or uninterested in, anything besides their stockholders, and Friedman makes the cogent (if coldblooded and amoral) statement that corporations only know how to make profit, so why be involved in something they don't understand (like a healthy environmental outlook).
One of the best new documentaries I've seen in years, an absolute stunner. The film's website is excellent and a great resource.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
Good Documentary - B+
Added 9/23/2009
I did enjoy the film, but I felt there was plenty of uncovered material, and some stories which were too indepth. Extra feature seem to be outstanding, I have not viewed them all, but the material is there. Overall, I would definitely recommend this DVD, but I suppose it did not fulfill my expectations.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Important Information for the Health Care Reform
Added 8/19/2009
This is a great documentary, gives you an inside look of what the goal of corporations are and how the laws require them to stick to it. It details how corporations operate. It is very relevant to today's health care debate. Anyone who wants to know what private insurance companies do with the money you pay them need to watch this documentary.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
Nothing but the highest praise for the highest quality journalism and film making
Added 8/14/2009
Since discovering this documentary, I have - with the film makers' support - developed study materials that enhance learning and teaching on several university degree programmes. It is, without doubt, the most stimulating and riveting documentary you are likely to see about the nature and impact of contemporary business thinking.
The great strength of the documentary is the quality of the input from all sections of society, whether academic experts, corporate executives, social activists or members of the public. Arguments and debates are not fudged, they are all tackled head on. Regardless of whether the issue is market accountability, branding and advertising, the profit motive, environmental sustainability or workplace democracy, defenders and critics of The Corporation are given ample scope to discuss different points of view. You can hear directly from Milton Friedman, Naomi Klein, Robert Monks and Noam Chomsky. You can witness for yourself heated dialogue between workers and managers, or demonstrators and corporate executives.
This documentary is a prima facie example of the way high quality journalism can transform our ability to learn in a democratic society. Free speech - however unpleasant to the listener - is the life-blood of an informed electorate who can then use their knowledge to shape political action.
As a student resource (with the film-makers' consent) we produced 30 minute edited versions and learning materials aimed at stimulating debate amongst students. The reaction has been first rate, with many seeking out the full 150 minute documentary or demanding that it be made available for follow up study. It is not often I come across a piece of work that so stimulates students, and which would benefit from becoming part of a core curriculum - this documentary in certainly in a league of its own. Consequently, it is hard to think of a business school that could not benefit from introducing this documentary into its curriculum. It will inevitably stimulate much needed reflection on the nature, ethics and impact of corporations on society.
Rory Ridley-Duff (Dr)
Senior Lecturer
Sheffield Business School
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
Amazing and Important!
Added 5/4/2009
Every person in the United States needs to sit down, pay full attention, watch this movie and ask themselves how they can be part of a solution.
This is riveting and hard to watch. This film exposes an ugly truth that we are all struggling with daily. We are serfs in a corporate feudal world with no real control over anything.
Buy it immediately and watch it soon.
The premise is powerful and the art of presentation is amazing. They have taken a legal topic that is dense and confusing and made it entertaining and understandable.
I am grateful to everyone involved in making this film. Thank you!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
