The Shock Doctrine: Short Film

10/4/07  Print This Post Print This Post    5 Comments      Written by Ian MacKenzie
  • Stumble It

You may have heard about the new book from Naomi Klein (author of No Logo) recently published, titled “The Shock Doctrine.” This short film offers a compelling argument about her idea.

“When I finished The Shock Doctrine, I sent it to Alfonso Cuarón because I adore his films and felt that the future he created for Children of Men was very close to the present I was seeing in disaster zones. I was hoping he would send me a quote for the book jacket and instead he pulled together this amazing team of artists — including Jonás Cuarón who directed and edited — to make The Shock Doctrine short film. It was one of those blessed projects where everything felt fated.” - Naomi Klein

Read more about the film and book on her website.


  • Stumble It

About the Author

Matador ID: ianmack

Ian MacKenzie is the founder and editor of Brave New Traveler. He is currently editing the One Week Job documentary. Aside from writing, he spends his time exploring the fundamental nature of existence and wishing he did more backpacking.

5 Comments... join the discussion!

  • Tim Patterson replied on October 4, 2007

    Here’s a link to a great review of “The Shock Doctrine” by famed economist Joseph Stiglitz in the New York Times.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/books/review/Stiglitz-t.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply
  • Eva replied on October 4, 2007

    Thanks for the link, Tim. I’m not usually much of a Naomi Klein fan but this sounds pretty interesting. The sudden “redevelopment” of the areas in Greece that have just been conveniently cleared by fire sprang to mind as a smaller-scale example of the “opportunities” provided by catastrophes…

    http://www.worldhum.com/weblog/item/in_greece_developers_eye_scorched_peloponnese_20070920/

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply
  • Ian MacKenzie replied on October 4, 2007

    I find it hard to believe that there would be a systematic conspiracy to take advantage of crisis - but perhaps her point is that there’s always those looking to exploit the “shocked” if it benefits their bank accounts… very stylish film though.

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply
  • Josh Lew replied on October 5, 2007

    I think that Cuarón’s video does not do justice to Klein’s idea that disaster offers economic opportunity to those who seek it. I mean, comparing shock therapy to the current administration’s foreign policy is ridiculous, but at the same time, one has to wonder, why is war being waged in Iraq, but not in Sudan. I’d all but guarantee that you’d be seeing GIs in Dafour if the US had more of an economic stake in the country.

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply
  • dougdo replied on October 11, 2007

    Thanks for posting this. I’ve been hearing a lot about this book, positive and negative. The film is powerful and presents some important ideas that certainly are not well discussed in our society.

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply

Leave a Comment

Get BNT by Email



Jump To Category:



Explore the Community


Latest Community Blogs


Popular Stories on Matador

10 Tattoo Clichés To Avoid At All Cost

If you have tattoos (like me) then you know people are ... 

"Daggering" in Jamaica: A Dance Craze Gone Too Far?

The spiraling popularity of "daggering" -- a "lewd" dan... 

Hostel Sex: A Practical Guide For Backpackers

Getting it wherever a backpacker can...... 

Inside Japan's Freaky Themed Bath Houses and Bars (NSFW)

Prostitution is illegal in Japan, which may be one of t... 

Teaching English In Japan Is Awesome and Sometimes Hilarious

You never know what your students are going to write.... 



Focus


Blogroll