Obey is a film based on the book Death of the Liberal Class by journalist and Pulitzer prize winner, Chris Hedges.
The film charts the rise of the Corporate State, and examines the future of obedience in a world of unfettered capitalism, globalisation, staggering inequality and environmental change.
Obey predominantly focuses on American corporate capitalism, but it is my hope that the viewer can recognise the relevance of what is being expressed with regards to domestic political and corporate activity.
We’re not only dreamers but also doers. We believe in actions not in violence; we believe in collaboration not in segregation. Numbers, figures, and hash-tags are labels to help us organize this chaotic world. Stories, however, give meaning to our lives and unite us to the shared visions.
A nice Leftist perspective. That’s all you need to know.
What is the password?
Hmm guess I’m the only one who thought the music rocked, but I like that kind of stuff.
I’m getting an overwhelmingly amateurish feeling about this film – the (terrible) music is distracting and ill-fitting – is it supposed to make the subject matter more appealing to “young people”? The narrator doesn’t have a particularly pleasant voice to listen to, he sounds uncomfortable plus there’s lots of lip smacks and even mispronounciation of words (04′ 23″ “…replaced them with fear, mistrust and the HENDONISM of the consumer society”) Come on guys, this material is important and needs to done justice, not this shabby half-arsed effort.
Like other people have pointed out the “negative” film effect and over reliance on quad split detract as well.
I’m a huge admirer of Chris Hedges work and applaud the concept of this film but the subject matter deserves better execution.
The inversion/”negative” effect was purposeful and well needed, by not being able to relate to what you were seeing it’s no doubt you didn’t “enjoy” watching it, but that point wasn’t to be enjoyable to watch, it’s enjoyable to listen to, it was meant to be a cold kick to the pants region.
this glitch music is annoying as fuck
this was hard to watch. a lot of the images were thrown in for shock effect rather than properly corresponding to the narrative as it was spoken. the visual effects (reverse video and such) actually detracted from the viewing pleasure
“Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience. Our problem is that people all over the world have obeyed the dictates of leaders…and millions have been killed because of this obedience…Our problem is that people are obedient allover the world in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity, and war, and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves… (and) the grand thieves are running the country. That’s our problem.”
― Howard Zinn
Agreed, quad-screen, ‘invert’ effect and overwhelmingly negative perspective make this a tiresome watch if you are watching it for ‘the truth’, essentially, this ‘documentary’ is part of the ‘inverted utopia’ movement otherwise known as eschatology, see Christianity. While this documentary has some great viewpoints and many of its predictions are likely to come true, it’s ultimate conclusion is unlikely: the complete collapse of civilisation. It is however a valid exercise in questioning one’s values and compliance or ability to ‘obey’ one’s leaders, but I think i’ll take it as food for thought rather than an ideological noose.
Historically speaking, all large societies have grown until collapse.
does this really have to be all in negative? i mean seriously its gettin old and ruining an otherwise good piece
That and the over-used quad split screen make this *unwatchable*
I’m happy they used one of my favorite quotes from Mario Savio.