British Universities Film & Video Council

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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

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