The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility
New release
Coming 
None

Paperland: The Bureaucrat Observed

1979 58 min
Leaving 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.

This content is not available for free viewing in your location.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.
Not available
Share
Paperland: The Bureaucrat Observed

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.

Politics and Government All subjects
  • director
    Donald Brittain
  • producer
    Marrin Canell
    Donald Brittain
  • executive producer
    Barrie Howells
    Paul Wright
  • script
    Donald Brittain
    Ronald Blumer
    John T. Random
  • photography
    Douglas Kiefer
    Barry Perles
  • sound
    Hans Oomes
  • editing
    Richard Todd
  • sound editing
    Bernard Bordeleau
  • re-recording
    Hans Peter Strobl
    Adrian Croll

Enjoy the NFB experience on your favourite device

Roku Apple TV Fire TV Android TV Apple App Store Google Play Store

Education

Ages 14 to 17
School subjects
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.
Paperland: The Bureaucrat Observed
Purchase options
Also available
DVD
Licence information
Already paid to see this film?
Licencing information

Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

You may download this film for private, personal or classroom use only. Public screenings and institutional (non-educational institutions) uses are not permitted. Download films in standard or high definition. (Please note that bonus materials are not available for DTO films.) You can copy each file up to 5 (five) times, onto various devices. DTO films cannot be hosted on a streaming server. To add DTO films to an institutional or educational streaming server, please contact a sales agent to discuss pricing.

Institutional licence

The institutional price includes the rights to screen this film in institutional settings and in free public screenings.

Explore