The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein and Alfonso Cuaron
The “Shock Doctrine” is a short film that examines how shock affects people and how it is used to change us. The film begins with a history on how shock therapy was used to treat people from mental or behavioral problems. It then shows how the CIA used shock therapy in an experiment where they electrically shocked human subjects. Out of these experiments came a handbook on how to breakdown prisoners to a childlike state so they can be manipulated. Immediatly after, the film shows a close up on the airplanes flying into the WTC on 9/11. It is very clever how the film creators switched gears from physical shock, to emotional and mental shock. The film argues that both physical and mental shock reduce us to a child like state and more inclined to manipulation.
Throughout the film, many intense film clips are shown while the narrator is speaking. For instance, while the narrator is discussing Milton Freedman, imagery of disasters, riots, and chaos are shown. Freedman believes that immediatly after a crisis or disaster, people are most vulnerable and this is when government should push the more difficult policies. The film cleverly uses shocking videos to shock its viewers, while discussing how shock can be used to manipulate people. Brilliant film.
