Surplus . Surplus

Duration: 00:52:00 A visually colorful, compilation-style documentary that offers a critical view of consumer society. The authors use footage collected over three years from eight countries to create a playful but serious look at globalization and its impact on the developing world. Police marching...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Other Authors: Gandini, Erik
Institution:Open Society Archives at Central European University
Language:English
Spanish
Published: Atmo 2003
Sweden
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10891/osa:b387f222-579d-469c-b0b1-fad5924ecaf1
Description
Summary:Duration: 00:52:00 A visually colorful, compilation-style documentary that offers a critical view of consumer society. The authors use footage collected over three years from eight countries to create a playful but serious look at globalization and its impact on the developing world. Police marching in formation against demonstrators during anti-globalization protests in Genoa in 2001, a passionate speech by Silvio Berlusconi, and arguments from opponents of the World Bank and IMF are synchronized to modern dance music. Next to these gripping images, the filmmakers give space to the ideas of radical anti-globalization guru John Zerzan and shots of Indian workers, who on average consume thirty times less than the average person in the United States. In a series of revealing juxtapositions, we see the empty shelves and rationing system in Cuba, we listen to the fanatical boss of Microsoft, Steven A. Ballmer, and we are asked whether modern technology is really setting us free. The film uses the same techniques as television advertisements, such as the manipulative collage of sounds and pictures that focus on repeating certain motifs, to drive its message home.
Published:2003