Watch Disaster Capitalism

Disaster capitalism is a 2018 documentary film that provides a detailed analysis of how multinational corporations and governments have exploited natural and political disasters to further their financial and political interests. Directed by Thor Neureiter and produced by Media Stockade, the film is based on the book "Disaster Capitalism: Making a Killing Out of Catastrophe" by journalist and best-selling author Naomi Klein.

The film takes us on a journey across the world, exploring the impact of disasters ranging from Hurricane Katrina to the earthquake in Haiti and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through a series of interviews with experts, locals, and aid workers, the film uncovers how disaster capitalism has been used to line the pockets of the wealthy, while leaving the poor to suffer the consequences.

The film starts with a powerful opening sequence showing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and how corporations like Blackwater took advantage of the chaos to make millions of dollars from the disaster. We are then taken to Iraq where we see how the US government awarded millions of dollars in contracts to corporations to rebuild the country after the war, resulting in widespread corruption and financial mismanagement.

The film also explores the impact of natural disasters, such as the earthquake in Haiti, where the international community's response was driven by profit rather than the needs of the local population. We see how NGOs, foreign governments, and private corporations descended on the country, taking advantage of the lack of infrastructure and governmental oversight to make money from reconstruction efforts.

Through the voices of various experts like journalist Jeremy Scahill and economist Aviva Chomsky, the film provides an in-depth analysis of how disaster capitalism operates. We learn about the "shock doctrine," a tactic used by corporations and governments to exploit moments of crisis to push through unpopular policies that wouldn't be accepted in normal circumstances. We see how privatization, deregulation, and cuts to public services are all part of the disaster capitalist playbook.

One of the strengths of the film is its focus on the human impact of disaster capitalism. We hear from Haitians who were left homeless and vulnerable after the earthquake, as well as Iraqis struggling to rebuild their country after years of war. The film makes clear that the victims of disaster capitalism are not just statistics, but real people whose lives have been upended by greed and exploitation.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the film is not without hope. Through the stories of grassroots activists and community organizers, we see how people are fighting back against the forces of disaster capitalism. From New Orleans to Greece to Puerto Rico, people are coming together to resist privatization, demand accountability, and build more just societies.

Overall, Disaster Capitalism is a sobering, thought-provoking film that exposes the dark side of globalization and corporate greed. It provides a powerful voice for those who have been silenced by these forces and shines a light on the urgent need for social and economic justice.

Disaster Capitalism is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.