The Century of the Self

2002

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1
8.8| NA| en| More Info
Released: 17 March 2002 Ended
Producted By: BBC
Country: United Kingdom
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00ghx6g
Info

The legacy of famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud informs the lives of people throughout the world even to this day, though it's a phenomenon to which most are unaware. The film is an exhaustive examination of his theories on human desire, and how they're applied to platforms such as advertising, consumerism and politics.

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The Century of the Self Audience Reviews

Cortechba Overrated
ShangLuda Admirable film.
Glucedee It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.
Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
siderite Learn how a few people, using Sigmund Freud's ideas, manufactured the modern consumerist thinking of today. Honest BBC Worldwide documentary that shows how the likes of Eddie Bernays managed to popularize the idea that masses of people are led and can be controlled through their basic needs alone, the reason why all the crap around is crap. And it's not a conspiracy theory, not science fiction, but history.The first episode alone makes it completely worth watching, but the other three are good, too. See how to different philosophies of psychology battle to gain control over how we treat human beings, both being right and wrong at the same time. Learn how big business and politicians are pulling just a few important strings and huge number of people just jump like marionettes. And all of it while convinced it is done for democracy and our individual self's sake.Sometimes it gets a little repetitive and biased. I think it could have been a really good two hour and a half movie, with no episodes, but it's great as it is too and I really recommend watching it.
youngerthanbuck this is the best documentary i have ever seen, considering i have seen quite a lot of it. don't miss out on watching something that will change your life.I'll try not to spoil anything, but you must swear to watch this documentary. it'll change you to change the world!!!I mean, it tells you why you buy stuff, it tells you what is really going on with the government, it even has topless girls (artistic) and lesbian nuns (nice). plus all of the knowledge of yourself, its a win win situation. seriously don't hesitate, watch it now!! now!!Oh also, it explains a lot about life.
blkm1nyc I am going to buy this movie on DVD as soon as I can get it.It tells of the battle of good and evil not in abstract terms but in concrete facts.It tells of one group of people who see human beings as basically weak and must be controlled.Another group of people see human beings as basically good and that society must work to bring out the best in humanity.Then there is the group (the DEVIL - male and female) - the greedy, power hungry, slime balls that coop the good nature of the human being for profit and power.
hlyen Caught this fantastic documentary at Cinema Village in NY. In short, it traces the tremendous influence of Freudian ideas and the family Freud - Siggie, Anna, and nephew Edward Bernays - on the development contemporary capitalist societies.Using chilling footage and lucid voice over, it traces the methods by which Freud's discoveries about the sub/unconscious mind were systematically implemented by corporate America in the 1920's and later the U.S. government to increase their wealth/power while at the same time giving people the impression of greater personal freedom. It was Bernays who founded the 1st public relations firm and coined the term "engineering consent".Its thesis spans everything from the invention of public relations, modern advertising techniques, Nazi Germany, CIA brainwashing, the self-help movement, consumer culture and current U.S./British electoral politics. All of which have direct antecedents in the ideas of Freud.Apparently, due to lack of copyright clearances, it is not available on DVD or tape. But hopefully it will make the art house circuit. His follow-up, The Power of Nightmares, is supposedly even better. It deals with 9-11.More comprehensive and persuasive than "The Corporation" and more objective and grounded that Michael Moore's work, "Century of the Self" is essential viewing. If you think corporate and government collusion in controlling the masses is tin hat stuff, well, start measuring your head...