The Corporation (2003)

Documentary that looks at the concept of the corporation throughout recent history up to its present-day dominance.

Directors:

Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott (co-director)

Writers:

Joel Bakan, Joel Bakan (book)

Stars:

Mikela Jay, Rob Beckwermert, Christopher Gora

12 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Mikela Jay	...	Herself - Narrator (voice) (as Mikela J. Mikael)
Rob Beckwermert	...	Actor - Dramatizations
Christopher Gora	...	Actor - Dramatizations
Nina Jones	...	Actor - Dramatizations
Richard Kopycinski	...	Actor - Dramatizations
Karen Lam	...	Actor - Dramatizations
Sean Lang	...	Actor - Dramatizations
Bert Phillips	...	Actor - Dramatizations
Diana Wilson	...	Actor - Dramatizations
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jane Akre	...	Herself - Investigative Reporter
Ray Anderson	...	Himself - CEO, Interface
Joe Badaracco	...	Himself - Professor of Business Ethics, Harvard Business School
Maude Barlow	...	Herself - Chairperson, Council of Canadians
Chris Barrett	...	Himself - Corporate Sponsored University Students
Marc Barry	...	Himself - Competitive Intelligence Professional

Storyline

Since the late 18th century American legal decision that the business corporation organizational model is legally a person, it has become a dominant economic, political and social force around the globe. This film takes an in-depth psychological examination of the organization model through various case studies. What the study illustrates is that in the its behaviour, this type of "person" typically acts like a dangerously destructive psychopath without conscience. Furthermore, we see the profound threat this psychopath has for our world and our future, but also how the people with courage, intelligence and determination can do to stop it.

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Plot Keywords:

corporation | business | two word title | civilization | anti consumerism | 

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Genres:

Documentary | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site

Country:

Canada

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

4 June 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Corporation

Filming Locations:

Celebration, Florida, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$28,671, 6 June 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,879,301, 14 November 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Big Picture Media Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

145 min 150 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente) 165 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The company "Cantor Fitzgerald" featured in this documentary as sponsoring September 11th Attacks compensation for a publicity stunt was not actually in fact doing so out of publicity. Howard Lutnick, CF's CEO, had a brother killed on 9/11 and over 600 of his staff killed since CF's offices were above the impact point of the planes in the World Trade Center. CF was in ruins and had set its headquarters up in a makeshift external office after 9/11, struggling to keep itself afloat. Lutnick, unsure of how to help grieving families and in mourning himself, vowed to set up a charity to get compensation funds for all the 9/11 survivors and families of deceased CF employees. This proved very difficult but the promise was kept. However in 2003, at the time The Corporation was initially released, Lutnick and CF were under suspicion from 9/11 survivors and the families of victims, who were beginning to think that he had made false promises and that his motives were far less than altruistic. It was said that CF would profit more from 9/11 in the long run and that Lutnick wanted money out of the disaster, hence the company being featured in this documentary.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: 150 years ago, the business corporation was a relatively insignificant institution. Today, it is all-pervasive. Like the Church, the Monarchy and the Communist Party in other times and places, the corporation is today's dominant institution. This documentary examines the nature, evolution, impacts, and possible futures of the modern business corporation. Initially given a narrow legal mandate, what has allowed today's corporation to achieve such extraordinary power and influence ...

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the movie, after the directors name are listed - BART SIMPSON (no relation to Homer & Marge) has been credited as one of the writers of the documentary.

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Connections

Features Pearl Harbor (2001)

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Soundtracks

Dover
Written and Performed by Michelle Irving (as Granny 'Ark)
Courtesy Michelle Irving

User Reviews

powerful & compelling

The first time in a long time that I've seen a movie audience launch into applause at the end -- and I was as enthusiastic as everyone else.

While quite long (2 hours, 45 minutes)this film piles detailed examples on top of interviews on top of documentary film clips. Liberally laced with interviews with folks like Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein and Michael Moore, it also includes insightful commentary from a (small) handful of liberated corporate executives.

The sum total is a compelling story of the evil that can be and is done by and in the name of corporations. I say this as one who has worked in a corporate environment my entire career, and who for a very long time has had difficulty getting past the 'but these are almost all nice people -- I don't know any ogres out to intentionally rape & pillage' perspective.

What I'm gradually wakening to is the realization that yes, the corporate structure is very efficient at doing what it's designed to do -- which unfortunately does not include taking social responsibility or the greater good into account. Instead it's ruthlessly focused on the bottom line, come hell (literally) or high water -- or polluted water.

I highly recommend this film. I know I'll be going back for a second viewing -- there's that much content, that I know I didn't absorb it all the first time around.