In the last years privatisation has often been hailed as a remedy for all possible financial or structural problems of the state.Given the discussions in Germany about the planned privatisation of the German Rail this film by German TV-documentarist Florian Opitz seems overdue.He offers four examples (transport,health,energy and water) in four countries to show,how it ends in higher revenues for the companies by raising the prices and in decreasing service quality and a major part of the population lacking access to fundamental qualities of life.If it was't so depressing you could laugh at some scenes,especially when Bechtel tried to privatise rainwater,banning the collecting and using of it.But the film also gives a little bit of hope;privatisation is nothing imposed on people who have no opportunity for resistance.The film nearly all the time stays with the victims and their fight to overcame the consequences of these decisions.The representatives of the World Bank and IWF with their formal and cold argumentation serve as comical figures.And there lies the weakness of this film and the reason why it gets only a 7 by me.It is openly biased-not per se a disadvantage for a documentary-,but offers for someone who is a bit familiar with the theme no new thoughts.I personally prefer docs with a more open view on a theme,thus forcing the viewer to draw his own conclusions.Here everything is readily packaged and you can only admit: "Yes,so it is!" Nevertheless it should be a must for the German Gouvernment and the parliamentarians especially the part about British Rail.
Review of Der große Ausverkauf
