2008.08.15: August 15, 2008: Headlines: Movies: Documentaries: Figures: COS - Ecuador: Writing - Ecuador: Development: Economics: New York times: John Perkins' “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,” is now documentary movie

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Ecuador: Special Report: Ecuador RPCV and Author John Perkins: 2008.08.15: August 15, 2008: Headlines: Movies: Documentaries: Figures: COS - Ecuador: Writing - Ecuador: Development: Economics: New York times: John Perkins' “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,” is now documentary movie

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John Perkins' “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,” is now documentary movie

John Perkins' “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,” is now documentary movie

Mr. Perkins, who says he was screened by the National Security Agency before being hired by the strategic-consulting firm Chas. T. Main in Boston, talks about a United States “corporatocracy” that assassinates South American leaders and, through the World Bank, exploits developing nations with unfair lending practices. The film, which almost shares a title with his best seller, “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,” derives its name from its central scene, a public appearance of the author before an angry audience in Quito, Ecuador. But the film is undone by bargain-basement, noir-style re-enactments; a foreboding, over-the-top soundtrack; and a wholesale abandonment of any semblance of balance. There is a great documentary waiting to be made about the levers of control with which South American nations are kept impoverished. This, unfortunately, isn’t it. Author John Perkins served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador.

John Perkins' “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,” is now documentary movie

Thoughts on a ‘Corporatocracy’

By ANDY WEBSTER

Published: August 15, 2008

John Perkins, the focus of Stelios Koul’s overheated documentary “Apology of an Economic Hit Man” and a rising star among liberal political commentators, has less satirical wit than Michael Moore and less intellectual authority than Noam Chomsky. What he has instead is a propensity for melodrama.

Mr. Perkins, who says he was screened by the National Security Agency before being hired by the strategic-consulting firm Chas. T. Main in Boston, talks about a United States “corporatocracy” that assassinates South American leaders and, through the World Bank, exploits developing nations with unfair lending practices. The film, which almost shares a title with his best seller, “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,” derives its name from its central scene, a public appearance of the author before an angry audience in Quito, Ecuador.

With a few other talking heads — all of similar political disposition — the film drops some intriguing facts. And its stinging portrait of the crowd in Quito bristling at American policy is arresting.

But the film is undone by bargain-basement, noir-style re-enactments; a foreboding, over-the-top soundtrack; and a wholesale abandonment of any semblance of balance. There is a great documentary waiting to be made about the levers of control with which South American nations are kept impoverished. This, unfortunately, isn’t it.

APOLOGY OF AN ECONOMIC HIT MAN

Opens on Friday in Manhattan.

Written and directed by Stelios Koul; directors of photography, Dionisis Euthimiopoulos and Manolis Konsolakis; edited by Kenan Akkawi; music by Active Member; produced by Mr. Koul, Mr. Akkawai and Ilias Bovalis; released by Lynx Productions and Moxie Films. At the Two Boots Pioneer Theater, 155 East Third Street, at Avenue A, East Village. Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes. This film is not rated.




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Headlines: August, 2008; RPCV John Perkins (Ecuador); Movies; Documentary Films; Figures; Peace Corps Ecuador; Directory of Ecuador RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Ecuador RPCVs; Writing - Ecuador; Development; Economics





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Story Source: New York times

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Movies; Documentaries; Figures; COS - Ecuador; Writing - Ecuador; Development; Economics

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