TIFF 2020 review: The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel

17 years after filmmakers Joel Bakan and Jennifer Abbott released The Corporation, a documentary examining the insidious ways in which large corporations have evolved and been able to grow exponentially with little oversight, Bakan and Abbott return with the appropriately-titled The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel.

The original film examined how corporations have essentially been granted the same legal rights as a human being — by analyzing the traits that corporations display in the marketplace, the film posited that modern corporations display the same symptoms as a human psychopath. Nearly two decades later, the role of large corporations has increased so dramatically in every facet of our day-to-day life that their influence can easily be ignored, especially as they have often made our lives more convenient in many ways. Yet as The New Corporation demonstrates, the actual cost of that convenience comes at the expense of the environment, labour laws, and the shrinking role of government as corporations continue to take over public works across the world, with little to no accountability.

With the standard talking-head interviews with predominately left-leaning politicians and journalists, it could be argued that The New Corporation is pitched directly to the choir, but as the film progresses, it becomes inarguable that corporate interests are now running much of the world, a frightening notion that goes far beyond party lines. For many, this won’t be much of a revelation; the Occupy Wall Street movement was built on this very idea. But by synthesizing how unchecked corporate greed ties into so many of our current problems, from the opioid epidemic, the rise of hate groups, and even the COVID-19 pandemic, Bakan and Abbott have created an accessible, frightening, and timely look at how big business has reshaped our society in favour of a handful of large corporations and their shareholders. 

Perhaps the most enraging aspect of The New Corporation is the examination of how the very corporations that are responsible for so many of the hardships faced by millions across the globe are now spinning that very greed and trying to rebrand themselves as corporate stewards. From the elite Davos conference to a PR shift that would have us believe the biggest coal manufacturers are suddenly environmentally conscious, the new plan to shape public opinion is an infuriating affront when those same corporations have so greatly contributed to the unfathomable wealth disparity that is reshaping our society on every level.

While The New Corporation is sure to make you angry, the film at least ends on an optimistic note, showcasing young, progressive politicians around the globe who have been making concrete changes in their communities. As the pandemic rages on and the skies are on fire across the continent, that little morsel of hope is more vital than ever.

The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel is screening at the Toronto International Film Festival and will make its way to the FIN Atlantic International Film Festival (September 17-24, 2020), the Calgary International Film Festival (September 23, 2020 – October 4, 2020), the Vancouver International Film Festival (September 24 – October 9, 2020), and the Lunenburg Doc Fest (September 24 – 30, 2020), with more screenings to be announced.