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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.
The Weight of the World DVD Extras: Politics
- by Glynis Whiting
- 2004,
- 10 min 36 s
Alanis Obomsawin: Telling Our Stories
- by Pepita Ferrari
- 2008,
- 1 min 12 s
CBQM (Clip 2)
- by Dennis Allen
- 2009,
- 1 min 16 s
Home to the Land
- by Stanley Jackson
- 1944,
- 21 min
Liberty, USA (trailer)
- by Handel Alan
- 2008,
- 2 min 11 s
CBQM (Clip 3)
- by Dennis Allen
- 2009,
- 50 s
Night Mayor (Clip 2)
- by Guy Maddin
- 2009,
- 44 s
Albert Maysles: Two Extremes to Avoid
- by Pepita Ferrari
- 2008,
- 1 min 3 s
CBQM (Clip 4)
- by Dennis Allen
- 2009,
- 38 s
Night Mayor (Clip 3)
- by Guy Maddin
- 2009,
- 44 s
Dancing Around the Table, Part Two
- by Maurice Bulbulian
- 1987,
- 50 min 8 s
CBQM (Trailer)
- by Dennis Allen
- 2009,
- 2 min 12 s
Night Mayor (Clip 4)
- by Guy Maddin
- 2009,
- 29 s
After the Ballot (Trailer)
- by Manuel Foglia
- 2008,
- 1 min 46 s
Waiting for Fidel
- by Michael Rubbo
- 1974,
- 57 min 50 s
Wet Earth and Warm People
- by Michael Rubbo
- 1971,
- 58 min 45 s
Bethune
- by Donald Brittain
- 1964,
- 58 min 38 s
The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors
- by Donald Brittain
- 1978,
- 57 min 10 s
The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power
- by Donald Brittain
- 1978,
- 55 min 35 s
The Champions, Part 3: The Final Battle
- by Donald Brittain
- 1986,
- 87 min 2 s
Champs d'honneur
- by Donald Brittain
- 1964,
- 38 min 13 s
Fields of Sacrifice
- by Donald Brittain
- 1964,
- 38 min 13 s
King of the Hill
- by Donald Brittain, William Canning
- 1974,
- 56 min 50 s
Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen
- by Donald Brittain, Don Owen
- 1965,
- 44 min 1 s
Memorandum
- by Donald Brittain, John Spotton
- 1965,
- 58 min 17 s
Pour mémoire
- by John Spotton, Donald Brittain
- 1966,
- 58 min 17 s
Starblanket
- by Donald Brittain
- 1973,
- 27 min 20 s
Images Captured From The Production
Adam Symansky
I had just become an executive producer when this film was edited. I remember watching it and saying, "I'm so offended! I'm a civil servant, and I'm not like that!" Of course, years later I understood exactly what Donald was getting at. It was all those small-minded people who refuse to take risks, who cover their asses all the time, who make sure that whatever happens they won't be blamed. You don't want to be blamed for making mistakes, so you don't make mistakes but then you don't actually have any successes, either.
That's what that film was all about.
From the playlist : Adam Symansky on Donald Brittain