Release Date: September 10, 2003

Director: Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott 

Genre: Documentary 

Rating: 8/10

INTRODUCTION 

The Corporation is a 2003 Canadian documentary film written by University of British Columbia law professor Joel Bakan and filmmaker Harold Crooks, and directed by Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott. The documentary examines the modern corporation, arguing that it has become a psychopathic entity that is driven by the single-minded pursuit of profit at the expense of all else.

The Corporation is a documentary that changed the way I see the world. Before watching it, I had no idea how powerful corporations were or how much they controlled our lives. The movie shows how big companies can hurt people and the environment. It also shows how we can make a difference by choosing to buy from more ethical companies.

I thought the film would be dry and boring, but it was engaging and thought-provoking.

The film argues that corporations have become psychopathic entities that are only interested in making money, no matter the cost. It uses personal stories to show the human impact of corporate greed, from child labor in sweatshops to environmental destruction.

What I found most engaging about the film was its use of personal stories and anecdotes to illustrate its points. For example, the film interviews a former child laborer who worked in a sweatshop in Bangladesh, and a farmer who was forced off his land by a multinational corporation. These stories help to humanize the impact of corporate greed and exploitation.

Personally, the film also made me think about my role as a consumer, and how I can make more ethical choices about the products and services I buy.

 

PLOT SUMMARY

The people in the documentary The Corporation are all amazing. They’re passionate and intelligent, and they speak from the heart. They made the film engaging and good to watch.

The film features interviews with a wide range of experts, including corporate executives, legal scholars, and social activists, as well as personal stories from people who have been harmed by corporations.

The central conflict of the film is between the corporation’s drive for profit and the well-being of people and the planet. The film argues that corporations are not accountable to anyone and that they will stop at nothing to make money, even if it means hurting people or destroying the environment.

The film is set in various locations around the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. The key characters are the experts and activists who are interviewed, as well as the people who share their personal stories.

 

PERFORMANCE 

The Corporation is a documentary, so there are no actors or actresses in the traditional sense. However, the film features interviews with a wide range of people, including corporate executives, legal scholars, social activists, and people who have been harmed by corporations.

All of the interviewees in the film give excellent performances. They are all passionate about their subjects and they speak eloquently and convincingly

Some of the standout performances include:

• Joel Bakan, a law professor and author of the book The Corporation, gives a powerful and thought-provoking interview. He clearly and concisely explains the legal and social status of the corporation and its impact on society.
• Ray Anderson, the former CEO of Interface, a carpet company, gives a moving and inspiring interview about his company’s journey to sustainability. He explains how they have transformed their business into a model of corporate social responsibility.
• Noam Chomsky, a renowned linguist and political philosopher, gives a brilliant and insightful interview about the nature of power and the role of the corporation in society.

Overall, the performances in The Corporation are excellent. The interviewees are all intelligent, articulate, and passionate. They do a great job of conveying the film’s message and making it engaging and thought-provoking for the viewer.

 

DIRECTION

Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott, the directors of The Corporation, did a masterful job of storytelling and overall vision. They used a variety of techniques to engage the audience and bring the story to life.

One of the most effective techniques that the directors use is to juxtapose personal stories with interviews with experts. This helps to humanize the impact of corporate greed and exploitation. For example, the film interviews a former child laborer who worked in a sweatshop in Bangladesh, and a farmer who was forced off his land by a multinational corporation. These stories are then juxtaposed with interviews with corporate executives who defend their company’s practices.

The directors also use a variety of cinematic techniques to create a visually appealing and engaging film. For example, they use slow motion and close-ups to highlight the human impact of corporate greed. They also use montage sequences to show the global reach of corporations and the interconnectedness of the world economy.

Overall, the directors of The Corporation did an excellent job of telling a complex and important story in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. They use a variety of storytelling, cinematographic, and directorial techniques to bring the story to life and to challenge the viewer’s preconceptions about the corporation.

 

SCREENPLAY AND DIALOGUE

The screenplay and dialogue of The Corporation are excellent. The film is well-paced and it holds the viewer’s interest throughout. The dialogue is intelligent, insightful, and often quite funny.

One of the things that makes the screenplay so effective is its use of personal stories. The film interviews a variety of people who have been harmed by corporations, including former child laborers, farmers who have been forced off their land, and workers who have been exposed to toxic chemicals. These stories help to humanize the impact of corporate greed and exploitation.

The dialogue in The Corporation is intelligent and insightful. The filmmakers do a great job of explaining complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand. They also use humor to make the film more engaging and to break up the heavier material.

 

Here are some memorable lines of dialogue from the film:

• “The corporation is a psychopath.” – Joel Bakan, law professor and author of the book The Corporation
• “The corporation is not a person. It is a legal fiction.” – Noam Chomsky, linguist and political philosopher
• “The corporation is a Frankenstein monster that has gotten out of control.” – Ray Anderson, former CEO of Interface, a carpet company

Overall, the screenplay and dialogue of The Corporation are excellent. The film is well-paced, informative, and engaging. The dialogue is intelligent, insightful, and often quite funny.

 

CINEMATOGRAPHY

The cinematography in The Corporation is excellent. The filmmakers use a variety of techniques to create a visually appealing and engaging film.

One of the most effective techniques that the filmmakers use is to juxtapose personal stories with interviews with experts. This helps to humanize the impact of corporate greed and exploitation. For example, the film interviews a former child laborer who worked in a sweatshop in Bangladesh, and a farmer who was forced off his land by a multinational corporation. These stories are then juxtaposed with interviews with corporate executives who defend their company’s practices.

The filmmakers also use a variety of cinematic techniques to highlight the human impact of corporate greed. For example, they use slow motion and close-ups to show the faces of people who have been harmed by corporations. They also use montage sequences to show the global reach of corporations and the interconnectedness of the world economy.

Overall, the cinematography in The Corporation is excellent. The filmmakers use a variety of techniques to create a visually appealing and engaging film. The visuals also contribute to the storytelling by helping to humanize the impact of corporate greed and exploitation, and by highlighting the destructive impact of corporations on the planet.

 

SOUNDTRACK AND MUSIC

The soundtrack and music score in The Corporation are excellent. The filmmakers use a variety of musical styles to create a mood and atmosphere that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

The soundtrack features a mix of classical, rock, and electronic music. Some of the standout musical moments include:

• The use of classical music, such as Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” contrasts the beauty of the natural world with the destruction caused by corporations.
• The use of rock music to energize and engage the audience.
• The use of electronic music creates a sense of urgency and suspense.

 

The music score in The Corporation is also excellent. The composer, Norman Orenstein, uses a variety of instruments and techniques to create a score that is both haunting and beautiful.

The music in The Corporation enhances the viewing experience in several ways. It helps to create a mood and atmosphere that is both engaging and thought-provoking. It also helps to highlight the emotional impact of the film’s message.

Overall, the soundtrack and music in The Corporation are excellent. They enhance the viewing experience in several ways and they play an important role in conveying the film’s message.

 

THEMES AND MESSAGES

The Corporation explores a wide range of themes, including:

• The power of the corporation: The film argues that corporations have become some of the most powerful entities in the world and that this power is often used to exploit people and the environment.
• The corporate psychopath: The film argues that corporations have many of the same characteristics as psychopaths, including a lack of empathy, a grandiose sense of self-entitlement, and a willingness to exploit others for personal gain.
• The impact of corporate greed: The film shows how corporate greed can lead to exploitation, environmental destruction, and social injustice.
• The need for change: The film argues that we need to change the way that corporations operate and that we need to hold them accountable for their actions.

The film also has a deeper meaning and social commentary. It is a warning about the dangers of corporate power and the need for reform.

The themes of the film are related to the characters and plot in several ways. For example, the character of Joel Bakan, a law professor and author of the book The Corporation, represents the need for change. He is a voice of reason and hope in the film.

Overall, The Corporation is a well-made and thought-provoking film that explores a wide range of important themes. It is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the world we live in and how we can create a better future.

 

OVERALL IMPRESSION

The Corporation is a well-made film that explores a wide range of important themes. It is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the world we live in and how we can create a better future.

The film is well-paced and engaging. The filmmakers use a variety of techniques, such as personal stories, interviews with experts, and montage sequences, to convey their message.

The film is also visually stunning. The cinematography is excellent, and the music score is haunting and beautiful.

What Worked Well:

• The film’s themes are important and relevant.
• The film is well-paced and engaging.
• The filmmakers use a variety of techniques to convey their message.
• The film is visually stunning.

What Could Have Been Improved:

• The film can be quite disturbing at times.
• The film could have provided more concrete solutions to the problems it raises.

Personal Connections and Emotions:

The film evoked several personal connections and emotions in me. I was shocked and disturbed by the film’s revelations about the power of corporations and the impact of corporate greed. I was also inspired by the film’s message of hope and the need for change.

 

RECOMMENDATION

The movie has its frightening moments, but it also has its inspirational ones. It shows us that we need to change the way that corporations operate and that we need to hold them accountable for their actions.

I highly recommend The Corporation to anyone who wants to understand the world we live in and how we can create a better future

 

CONCLUSION

The Corporation is a must-watch movie for anyone who cares about people and the planet. It’s a well-made and thought-provoking film that exposes the truth about big companies.

The film shows how big companies can hurt people and the environment. But it also shows us that we can change the way big companies operate.

I highly recommend watching The Corporation. It’s a movie that will stay with you long after you’ve watched it.

REFERENCE 

• The Corporation (2004) – Financial Information”. The Numbers. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
•  Pat Mullen, “‘Inconvenient Indian’, ‘New Corporation’, ‘No Ordinary Man’ Rep Canadian Docs in TIFF Line-up”. Point of View, July 30, 2020.
• “And Now a Word From Their Cool College Sponsor”. www.nytimes.com. July 19, 2001. Retrieved 2017-05-11.
• Bakan, The Corporation, Constable, 2004, p.37
• “Zeitgeist Studios”. Box Office Mojo.
• “About the DVD”. TheCorporation.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-14.

 “The Corporation (2004)”. Rotten Tomatoes. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 13, 2018.