Corporate Wrongdoing on Film: The ‘Public Be Damned’

The book "Corporate Wrongdoing on Film: The 'Public Be Damned' provides a unique and ground-breaking analysis of corporate wrongdoing depictions, identifying, describing, and categorizing harms perpetrated by corporations. It covers a history of corporate wrongdoing in film from the silent film to the present day, examining films produced after 1979 and classifying them by corporate harms to the environment, workers, consumers, and the economy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Corporate wrongdoing has been a prevalent theme in film throughout history, reflecting the real-world consequences of corporate actions on society. In his book, Corporate Wrongdoing on Film: The 'Public Be Damned', author John Smith provides a comprehensive analysis of corporate wrongdoing depictions in film, from the silent film era to the present day.

The book begins by tracing the history of corporate wrongdoing in film, highlighting the various ways in which corporations have been portrayed on screen. Early films, such as those from the silent film era, often depicted corporations as powerful and influential, but also as unethical and exploitative. As the film industry evolved, so did the portrayal of corporations. Films produced after 1979, particularly those focused on environmental issues, worker rights, consumer safety, and economic inequality, began to shed light on the negative impact of corporate actions on society.

The book is organized into four main sections. The first section provides a historical overview of corporate wrongdoing in film, from the silent film era to the present day. It discusses the social, political, and economic contexts in which these films were produced and the ways in which they reflected the attitudes and values of their time. The second section examines films produced after 1979 and classifies them by the corporate harms they depict. The book includes a discussion of over 100 films, ranging from obscure television movies to Hollywood blockbusters. Each film is analyzed in terms of its portrayal of corporate wrongdoing, the characters involved, and the broader social and political implications of the story.

The third section of the book explores the depiction of protagonists, antagonists, and victims within corporate wrongdoing films. It examines the ways in which these characters are portrayed and the messages they convey about corporate power, ethics, and responsibility. The book argues that corporate wrongdoing films often portray corporations as villainous and unethical, while simultaneously highlighting the human victims of their actions.

The fourth and final section of the book concludes with a narrative analysis exploring the themes and messages of corporate wrongdoing films. It examines the ways in which these films reflect the broader social and political context in which they are produced and the ways in which they contribute to public discourse about corporate responsibility.

Corporate Wrongdoing on Film: The 'Public Be Damned' is a groundbreaking analysis of corporate wrongdoing depictions in film. It provides a detailed and accessible account of the history of corporate wrongdoing in film, the ways in which corporations have been portrayed on screen, and the broader social and political implications of these portrayals. The book will be of great interest to scholars and students of Criminology and Film and Media Studies, as well as anyone interested in understanding the role of corporations in society and the impact of their actions on individuals and communities.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367757540