Paperland: The Bureaucrat Observed
1979
57 min
Coming soon
Bureaucracy shapes our lives and guides us from the cradle to the grave. This documentary, directed by Donald Brittain, lays bare the idiosyncrasies of bureaucracy, whether in Canada, Austria, Hungary, the Vatican or the Virgin Islands. It also attempts to make the functioning of the public service more comprehensible. The absurdities of bureaucratic behaviour are exposed with humour and irreverence.
Details
Bureaucracy shapes our lives and guides us from the cradle to the grave. This documentary, directed by Donald Brittain, lays bare the idiosyncrasies of bureaucracy, whether in Canada, Austria, Hungary, the Vatican or the Virgin Islands. It also attempts to make the functioning of the public service more comprehensible. The absurdities of bureaucratic behaviour are exposed with humour and irreverence.
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directorDonald Brittain
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producerMarrin CanellDonald Brittain
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executive producerBarrie HowellsPaul Wright
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scriptDonald BrittainRonald BlumerJohn T. Random
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photographyDouglas KieferBarry Perles
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soundHans Oomes
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editingRichard Todd
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sound editingBernard Bordeleau
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re-recordingHans Peter StroblAdrian Croll
Education
Ages 14 to 17
Civics/Citizenship - Citizen Responsibilities
Civics/Citizenship - Federal/Provincial Government
History and Citizenship Education - Issues in Society Today
The film states that what is often frustrating about a process is also what makes it fair. Write about a personal experience of bureaucracy that exemplifies this. Interview a civil servant or person working in administration and then present the importance of their job and the steps in a process or procedure they must follow.
