The Shock Doctrine

Here’s a youtube video that made the rounds maybe four or five months ago, but hopefully it’ll be new to some. It’s the first high production “trailer” for a book that I’ve ever come across (though it’s long enough that you might consider it a short film). Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men) directed the video to promote Naomi Klein’s latest book, The Shock Doctrine, and from what I could see, it got a lot of circulation. Even for those who didn’t go out and buy the book, the film is long enough to give the viewer a clear, concise understanding of Klein’s argument. Without getting into Klein’s provocative theory, which links neoliberal free market reforms with national traumas (Pinochet’s 1973 coup, for example), I think the video is simply an interesting example of yet another hybrid media made possible by the popularity of new internet video forums. It can’t be reduced to film, book, research, or marketing ploy, but is all of the above, and it’s neither too didactic nor cursory.



Here's the official website for the book if you're interested.

-Aidan

UPDATE: So, after a brief google search, I think I made a mistake thanks to the unclear youtube description. The video is directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Naomi Klein, and also Cuarón's son, Jonás, who apparently went to Vassar...