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 | media narrative as subject | 

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Genres:

Documentary | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sam Gibara, the Chairman of Goodyear, would only agree to be interviewed in the Waldorf Astoria. As the film-makers were very keen to have him on film, they rented a room at the Waldorf. Unfortunately the Waldorf only rents its rooms for the night, so 3 crew members took the opportunity to overnight in one of the world's most famous hotels.

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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 Bambi Meets Godzilla (1969)

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Soundtracks

We Trust
Written and Performed by intermission
Courtesy intermission

User Reviews

Fun look at how corporations are destroying the world

"The Corporation" is a fun look at how corporations are destroying the world. I had avoiding seeing it at first, because I thought it would be kind of depressing... I was right, but it's depressing AND entertaining. Basically it shows how corporations run most of the known world. The movie starts out with the history of corporations, and how their power grows substantially after World War Two. According to the film, most of the world's governments and job markets are run or at least affected by corporate power. Corporations have the power to poison and despoil the environments and the people around them, and the larger these "corporate citizens" are, the more immune they are from prosecution. Basically, if corporate power remains unchecked, we are all screwed, except for the fat cats at the top. A fun, depressing look at our future.

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