His Master’s Voice

Alternative title

Voix de son Maître, La

Synopsis

The titans of 12 major companies, including Jacques Lemonnier of IBM France and Francois Dalle of L’Oreal, talk directly to the camera about power, hierarchy, trade unions, strikes, and self-management. Filmmakers Gerard Mordillat and Nicolas Philibert asked these captains of industry to select their own locations for filming, where the men were allowed to speak in uninterrupted long takes. In effect, the titans hang themselves with their ruthless, cold-blooded commentary in sterile environments. After the film was completed in 1978, the subjects realised their error and persuaded the French government to prevent the film from being shown on television. Those interviewed are: Michel Barba (Richier), Jean-Claude Boussac (Boussac), Guy Brana (Thomson-Brandt), François Dalle (L’Oréal), Bernard Darty (Darty), Jacques de Fouchier (Paribas), Alain Gomez (Saint-Gobain Emballages), Francine Gomez (Waterman), Daniel Lebard (Comptoir Lyon Alemand Louyot), Jacques Lemonnier (IBM-France), Raymond Lévy (Elf Aquitaine), Gilbert Trigano (Club Méditerranée).

French with English subtitles. DVD extras include: Interview with Gérard Mordillat and Nicolas Philibert;; "Behind the words": analysis by economist Frédéric Lordon

Language

French (Standard) (French with English subtitles)

Country

France

Year of release

2009

Year of production

1978

Subjects

Business studies; Social Studies; Economics; French studies

Keywords

business executives; business firms; French culture; management practices; economic history

Credits

Director

Gérard Mordillat; Nicolas Philibert

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 0 NTSC

Price

20 Euros

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

100 minutes

Year

2009

Production Company

Name

Institut National de l’Audiovisuel (INA)

Email

ina@ina.fr

Web

http://www.ina.fr External site opens in new window

Phone

+33-1-49 83 20 00

Fax

++33-1-49 83 25 80

Address

4, Avenue de l’Europe
F-94366 Bry sur Maine
Paris
France

Notes

Viewing of programmes archived by INA is at the Bibliotheque François Mitterand, Quai François Mauric, Paris 75013.

Distributor

Name

Blaq Out

Email

laboutique@blaqout.com

Web

http://www.blaqout.com/ External site opens in new window

Phone

+33 (0)1 42 77 88 18

Address

52, rue Charlot
75003 Paris
France