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Our Brand Is Crisis

Play trailer Poster for Our Brand Is Crisis 2005 1h 25m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 40 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Bolivia is on the brink of a violent coup d'etat, but that can't stop the political strategy team of GCS -- Greenberg Carville Shrum -- from putting together a slick American style re-election campaign for unpopular presidential candidate Gonzalo "Goni" Sanchez de Lozada. Featuring unprecedented access, this documentary follows Clinton administration political strategist James Carville as he leads a media assault team from the back rooms of Washington, D.C., to La Paz, the capital of Bolivia.
Our Brand Is Crisis

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Critics Consensus

Riveting and enraging, Our Brand Is Crisis peers behind the curtain of modern political campaigning and reveals a story that should be seen by citizens of all persuasions.

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Critics Reviews

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Courtney Fitzgerald Austin Chronicle 09/22/2020
This documentary by first-time director Boynton proves democracy and capitalism are disturbingly intertwined. Go to Full Review
John Monaghan Detroit Free Press 11/24/2006
3/4
The movie is both frightening and ironically funny, sometimes both. Go to Full Review
Jeff Shannon Seattle Times 08/18/2006
3/4
Subject matter dominates over filmmaking craft in Rachel Boynton's somewhat sloppy but otherwise riveting documentary. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 02/01/2013
B+
Eric Monder Film Journal International 03/01/2007
Our Brand Is Crisis is not just for political junkies and should be widely seen and discussed. Go to Full Review
Louis Proyect rec.arts.movies.reviews 10/04/2006
Absolutely riveting study of boneheaded intervention by James Carville consultants in Bolivian politics. Nearly as grotesque as Woody Allen's "Bananas". Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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04/08/2021 Despite being outdated, this is a really fascinating look at how capitalism can't buy you democracy. The film follows a presidential election in Bolivia and a candidate who has democratic intentions, but is woefully out of touch with the people. "Goni" is Bolivian, but schooled in America and hires Greenberg Carville Shrum, the political strategy agency fronted by politico James Carville, to tell him how to win without having to actually get his hands dirty. He must have paid a pretty penny for their services and in the end he does win, but with a paltry 22% of the vote. His governing of the other 88% doesn't go well either. Rachel Boynton's documentary is infinitely better and more interesting than the horrible Sandra Bullock vehicle. Our Brand is Crisis is still relevant and eye opening nearly 20 years on since the USA insists on continuing with its white saviour complex - for better or worse, for altruism and profit. See more 10/23/2013 Documental controversista para los bolivianos, pues no solo expone las tretas y de campaña del partido de Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, sino su verdadera personalidad. Sin mencionar el daño que les provocó y que sigue en sus memorias, demostrando lamentablemente que sin importar la marca extrangera o nacional de un partido, no hay presidente que le haga bien a Bolivia. See more 04/23/2011 Ahh the American spirit of winning no matter what the cost. This doc really gives a glimpse at the topic of political consulting and its true cost. If nothing else, interesting to see the process and results of failed strategy but sadness from what resulted. See more 12/04/2009 Our Brand is Crisis isn't (shouldn't be) suprising or exciting. It's a political Mondo. It's sad, I suppose, but it shouldn't teach you anything. It's only truly special becasue it's so intimate. See more 10/07/2009 This is intense and amazing documentary. See more 08/09/2009 Fun documentary for starting conversations on political consulting. "Arrogant" hardly begins to describe James Carville's team in Bolivia..."hubris-tastic" comes to mind. This film is also a good reminder that it's not just the sides of political issues that we should argue about, but the very choice of those issues. See more Read all reviews
Our Brand Is Crisis

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Movie Info

Synopsis Bolivia is on the brink of a violent coup d'etat, but that can't stop the political strategy team of GCS -- Greenberg Carville Shrum -- from putting together a slick American style re-election campaign for unpopular presidential candidate Gonzalo "Goni" Sanchez de Lozada. Featuring unprecedented access, this documentary follows Clinton administration political strategist James Carville as he leads a media assault team from the back rooms of Washington, D.C., to La Paz, the capital of Bolivia.
Director
Rachel Boynton
Producer
Rachel Boynton
Screenwriter
Rachel Boynton
Production Co
Slough Pond, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Mar 1, 2006
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 11, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$166.3K
Runtime
1h 25m