Assholes - A Theory
With philistine politics and toxic tweets trashing civilization as we know it, the time has come for Assholes: A Theory — a tonic-n-timely new doc from acclaimed director John Walker.
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Some grapple with the challenge of treating other human beings decently. Others are just… assholes, claims Professor Aaron James in his New York Times bestselling book, Assholes: A Theory. This intellectually provocative film takes a playful approach to uncovering why asshole behaviour is on the rise in the workplace, in government, and at home.
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project inspirationAaron James
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directorJohn Walker
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narrationJohn Walker
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writerJohn WalkerRobert Sandler
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producerAnn BernierAnnette ClarkeJohn Walker
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cinematographerPaul McCurdy
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editorJeff Warren
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composerSandy Moore
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animationRon McDougall
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location soundJim Rillie
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sound designAlex SalterDonald Walls
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intervieweeAaron JamesAimée MorrisonRobert HockettPaul PurcellJohn CleeseSherry Lee Benson-PodolchukSuji GelermanRobert I. SuttonGeoffrey NunbergJohnathan GilmoreSherry F. ColbSaule OmarovaBill EmmottEdoardo AlbinatiLorella ZanardoTim ParksPiercamillo DavigoVladimir LuxuriaLeslie MileyBethanye McKinney BlountMary SarnataroGiuseppe FalsoneLeslie DixonRuss LarawayGad LernerPaul RussellKim ScottBeatrice Maria 'Bebe' VioLuigi Zoja
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researcherValerie MansourElena Dal PraOliver Neidhart
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visual researcherElspeth Domville
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story consultantMerrily Weisbord
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development consultantLouise Rosen
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studio interview and streeterCaleb CechotaJulienne CordyRob DelanoKevin Michael DunfordDakota GambleAlejandro ChupinaAustin HareRebecca JohnsonDavid LewisMartin MorrowPeggy RichardsonChristian RiveraEnze YangVoncile Brown-MillerRoxxy DowellQuinnesh DowlingBea FieldsFabian HodrickJohn LopezCynthia MasettoDouglas PrideauxAmmons E. SmithShane K. SmithRyan Taglianetti
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additional photographyIdan MeninBecky ParsonsWill Pugh
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drone operatorMatt Lavin
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camera assistantSophie LemoineMelisse Sporn
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additional sound recordingStephen HopkinsMax HirtensteinJuan Nunez
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location production assistantAmanda BernhardtKristen DegirolamoKanishka GulatiBjorn JakobsonDavid La HayeMarina Cunha MartinsChristopher MorganPatrick David OrrLivia SaStefano Santamato
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casting agencyErin HennesseyKen Lazer
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trailer editorChris Turner
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production managerAnn Bernier
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production coordinatorKelsey PowerAmy TrefryDanielle NobleCheryl Murgatroyd
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internBronwen McKie
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coordinatorFrancesco Lonardi
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production accountantAngie Kokic
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english transcriptionMichelle McStayAndrew Bateman
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italian transcription / translationTidal Transcreative
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production supervisorRoz Power
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technical coordinatorDaniel LordChristopher MacIntosh
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marketing managerJohanna Lessard
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publicistPatricia Dillon-Moore
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studio administratorLeslie Anne Poyntz
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chamber ensembleSusan SayleÉtienne ChénardNorman AdamsEileen WalshMichael DonovanSandy Moore
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jazz ensembleSilvio Pupo MonteroDamien MoynihanLukas PearseKen MacKay
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music recording studioThe Sonic Temple
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music mixingThe Sonic Temple
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audio engineerDarren Van Niekerk
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recording assistantScott MacKeyTakoda SullivanConnor MacLeod
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film mixNational Film Board of Canada
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re-recordingShelley Craig
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MIDI technicianDonald Walls
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technicianDonald Walls
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scoringAlex Arnold
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technicalJustin Gaudreault
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dialogue editorBob Melanson
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narration recordingMatt DawsonThe Hideout Studios
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graphic designRon McDougall
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website designRon McDougall
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assistant editorDavid Mullins
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post-production coordinatorKelsey Power
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visual post-production facility902 Post Inc.
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colouristDoug Woods
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online editorDoug Woods
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assistant on-line editorCarter Thurber
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dailiesRobert Carrigan
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legal counselRobert Aske
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accounting servicesPatricia Dyson
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insurancePaul LipkusFront Row Insurance Brokers Inc.
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senior director, documentarySandra Kleinfeld
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production executiveJordana Ross
Warning: Language (frequent use of the word “asshole” and other profanity and gay slurs); mentions of alcohol and drugs, sexism, sexual abuse, suicide, gun violence.
Brief “lesson launcher type” activity or a series of inquiry questions with a bit of context.
Documentary exploring the question of who is an “asshole” in various professions, politics, media and the world at large. What traits are universally designated as “asshole” traits across all professions? From a child-development standpoint, what can adults do to discourage the emergence of such traits in children? The documentary proposes several ways that organizations should work to discourage “assholes” from coming into power. Which strategies would be the most effective for specific industries? Why might they work in some and not others? How does having “asshole” leaders in politics affect the well-being and development of countries? Does the influence of “asshole” leaders extend to the greater public? What examples might we have of this in our current climate?
