Films About Bureaucracy
Notable Films About Bureaucracy
“Brazil”, 1985
Director: Terry Gilliam
Directed by Terry Gilliam, this dystopian sci-fi film satirizes a highly bureaucratic and inefficient society. The protagonist, Sam Lowry, becomes entangled in a nightmare of paperwork and mistaken identity as he tries to correct an administrative error.
Starring: Jonathan Pryce, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, Bob Hoskins, Michael Palin, Ian Richardson, Peter Vaughan, Kim Greist, Jim Broadbent;
Production year: 1985;
Genre: science fiction, drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 132 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Brazil” on the website imdb.com
“The Death of Stalin”, 2017
Director: Armando Iannucci
This black comedy directed by Armando Iannucci depicts the political chaos and bureaucratic infighting that ensues after the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. The film humorously explores the absurdity of Soviet bureaucracy.
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Paddy Considine, Rupert Friend, Jason Isaacs, Michael Palin, Andrea Riseborough, Jeffrey Tambor, Adrian McLoughlin;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Death of Stalin” on the website imdb.com
“Office Space”, 1999
Director: Mike Judge
Directed by Mike Judge, this comedy focuses on the mundane and often absurd experiences of office workers dealing with bureaucratic corporate culture. The film centers on Peter Gibbons, who decides to rebel against his monotonous job and the restrictive bureaucracy of his company.
Starring: Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, David Herman, Ajay Naidu, Diedrich Bader, Stephen Root, Gary Cole, Richard Riehle, Alexandra Wentworth, Joe Bays;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 89 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Office Space” on the website imdb.com
“In the Loop”, 2009
Director: Armando Iannucci
Directed by Armando Iannucci, this political satire delves into the machinations of government officials and the bureaucratic processes behind the decision to go to war. The film highlights the incompetence and manipulation within political bureaucracy.
Starring: Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, Chris Addison, Anna Chlumsky, Gina McKee, Mimi Kennedy, Zach Woods, David Rasche, James Gandolfini, Olivia Poulet;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: comedy;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “In the Loop” on the website imdb.com
“The Trial”, 1992
Director: David Hugh Jones
Directed by Orson Welles, this adaptation of Franz Kafka's novel follows Josef K., a man arrested and prosecuted by a mysterious and opaque bureaucratic entity, without ever being told the nature of his crime. The film is a haunting critique of bureaucratic oppression.
Starring: Kyle MacLachlan, Anthony Hopkins, Jason Robards, Juliet Stevenson, Polly Walker, Alfred Molina, David Thewlis, Michael Kitchen, Tony Haygarth, Douglas Hodge;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
“Thank You for Smoking”, 2005
Director: Jason Reitman
Directed by Jason Reitman, this satirical comedy focuses on a lobbyist for the tobacco industry who navigates the bureaucratic world of corporate and government regulations. The film humorously critiques the interactions between business and government.
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Cameron Bright, J.K. Simmons, William H. Macy, Robert Duvall, Adam Brody, Sam Elliott, Katie Holmes, David Koechner;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Thank You for Smoking” on the website imdb.com
“A Serious Man”, 2009
Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Directed by the Coen Brothers, this dark comedy-drama explores the life of a man named Larry Gopnik, who faces a series of personal and professional crises, including dealing with academic and medical bureaucracies. The film reflects on the absurdity of bureaucratic processes in everyday life.
Starring: Michael Stuhlbarg, Sari Lennick, Aaron Wolf, Jessica McManus, Richard Kind, Fred Melamed, Simon Helberg, Amy Landecker, George Wyner, Alan Mandell;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “A Serious Man” on the website imdb.com
“I, Daniel Blake”, 2016
Director: Ken Loach
Directed by Ken Loach, this drama tells the story of a man who, after suffering a heart attack, battles the UK's welfare system to receive the support he needs. The film powerfully critiques the dehumanizing nature of bureaucratic systems.
Starring: Dave Johns, Hayley Squires, Briana Shann, Dylan McKiernan, Kate Rutter, Sharon Percy, Kema Sikazwe, Magpie Richens, Amanda Payne, Chris McGlade;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
“The Lives of Others”
Director: –
Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, this German drama focuses on the Stasi, East Germany's secret police, and their surveillance of citizens. The film explores the oppressive bureaucratic mechanisms of a totalitarian state.
Starring: -;
Genre: drama;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
“Erin Brockovich”, 2000
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this legal drama follows Erin Brockovich, a legal assistant who uncovers a case of groundwater contamination. The film highlights her struggle against the bureaucratic and legal hurdles posed by a powerful corporation.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Peter Coyote, Cherry Jones, Tracey Walter, Conchata Ferrell, Marg Helgenberger, David Brisbin, Dawn Didawick;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Erin Brockovich” on the website imdb.com
These films provide diverse perspectives on bureaucracy, ranging from dark satire and comedy to poignant drama, each offering a unique critique or reflection on the bureaucratic systems that govern various aspects of life.
In conclusion, films about bureaucracy are more than just stories about red tape and paperwork. They can be incisive meditations on power, control, and the human spirit's tenacity in the face of impersonal systems. From the existential struggles in “Brazil” to the satirical wit of “The Lobster,” these films challenge viewers to think critically about the role of bureaucracy in our lives and its impact on our personal freedoms and societal structures. By combining compelling narratives with rich thematic content, these films offer a nuanced exploration of a facet of modern life that is often frustrating but always essential.
