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 (based on the book "The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power" by)

Stars:

Mikela Jay, Rob Beckwermert, Christopher Gora

12 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Mikela Jay	...	Self - 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	...	Self - Investigative Reporter
Ray Anderson	...	Self - CEO, Interface
Joe Badaracco	...	Self - Professor of Business Ethics, Harvard Business School
Maude Barlow	...	Self - Chairperson, Council of Canadians
Chris Barrett	...	Self - Corporate Sponsored University Students
Marc Barry	...	Self - 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:

history of consumerism | environmental activism | globalization | 14th amendment | monsanto | 

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Genres:

Documentary | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's 70 interviews were conducted in front of a blue screen. Only 40 of them made it into the movie.

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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

The credits display addresses and descriptions of related websites but they can also be found on the official website for the film.

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Connections

Features Lady Frankenstein (1971)

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Soundtracks

The Sand, The Sea, The Stars
Written and Performed by Shawn Pinchbeck
Courtesy Shawn Pinchbeck

User Reviews

I'll never buy Hood's or Shaw's milk again.

So we're getting used to antibiotics because of Corporate America's dairies pumping their sick cattle full of the stuff. I knew it intellectually but never realized it so viscerally as I did while watching these cows with their udders painfully distended and the pus coming out of them. Like a little pus with your milk? You're getting it.

so it's onto soy milk or organic milk for me, from now on. That is but one of the life-changing experiences I had watching this movie. Of course, I already knew what tentacles Corporate America has around every area of our government including the media, but this movie just punched it up.

It should make you angry. If not, your conscience has long been stilled by your big screen TV, your gas-guzzling SUV or your stock options. Probably won't show in most of your towns....too much of a threat to the corporations that are shown up in this show. Monsanto? Won't be buying any of their products anytime soon, and I already boycott Walmark, Penney's and the ubiquitous Barbie Doll. Pretty soon, I'll be eating nothing buy my own garden's products....a good idea, no? See the movie: find out how you're being shilled. You might even decide to take back your government from the corporations writing policy for Cheney and other Congressional prostitutes.

Details

Official Sites:

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

Gross USA:

$3,493,516

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,605,682

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