Discovering My Personal Flaws Through Watching Netflix Documentaries

steal

by Jenni Wright

1) The Art of The Steal

Synopsis

Albert Barnes of Philadelphia became a millionaire through medical research.  He bought art that the Philadelphia high society folks made fun of.  That art was later revealed to be highly valuable from a monetary and art history stand point.  What will happen to Dr. Barnes’ private art collection once he dies?  Will Philadelphia literally pry the art from his cold dead body?

Who does the filmmaker want me to be angry at?

Philadelphia high society and the Pennsylvania government

Level of anger/concern about the upper crust of Philly before the movie? 

Low.   I live in Southern California.  I think about Philadelphia for 10 seconds every 3 years.

Personal character flaw revealed while watching the movie

I’m not concerned about what the government will do with my possessions when I’m dead.  I’m completely willing to look the other way as to how art is sold and obtained.  I’m not at all opposed to large city museum complexes.

But wait, I can defend myself

I’m more concerned about what kind of art I have access to while I’m alive.  

2) Prohibition

prohibition

Synopsis 

America had a drinking problem.  Religious leaders and concerned women took notice and organized a campaign to ban drinking.  It worked.  Chaos ensued.

Who does the filmmaker want me to be angry at?  

The American political system, religious organizations

Level of anger/concern about the American political system and religious organizations before the movie

High – I am perpetually nervous that both of these institutions are plotting against me.

Personal character flaw revealed while watching the movie

I’m not that concerned about the effects of alcohol on our society.  Also, I can sit through a Ken Burns documentary.  Admittedly, I was also drinking a particularly nice bottle of wine while watching this entire series.

But wait, I can defend myself

Prohibition is all well and good until a little Sicilian man named Al Capone gets himself involved and things get bloody.

3) How to Survive a Plague

plague

Synopsis 

AIDs activists in the 80’s and 90’s pushed pharmaceutical companies to increase their attention to the virus and prolonging the life of those who suffered from the disease.

Who does the filmmaker want me to be angry at?  

Pharmaceutical companies, politicians

Level of anger/concern about big pharma and politicians before the movie

Moderate – I assume something in my medicine cabinet can and will kill me

Personal character flaw revealed while watching the movie

I found myself wishing the researchers in the pharmaceutical companies had a chance to defend themselves.

But wait, I can defend myself

How long SHOULD it take pharmaceutical companies to find solutions to new complex diseases?  How do we measure the level of effort in these cases?  What are our expectations for how quickly scientists can react to a global crisis?

4) The Invisible War

war2

Synopsis

Female veterans from multiple branches of the military recount their experiences of sexual assault while enlisted.  The aftermath of the assault including an impartial military justice system, retaliation against victims and inadequate post trauma care are discussed.

Who does the filmmaker want me to be angry at?  

High ranking military officers, the military justice system, God?

Level of anger/concern about an impartial justice system, the military and God before the movie? 

High -These are absolutely prime targets for my misplaced anger

Personal character flaw revealed while watching the movie

After finishing this movie, I want to talk about rape in the military in any social setting, regardless of your interest in said subject.

But wait, I can defend myself

You don’t realize that you want to talk about rape in the military!

5) Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer

client

Synopsis

And in depth look at the meteoric rise of Eliot Spitzer’s political career and eventual, very public and shameful fall. Also, quite a bit of discussion about prostitutes.

Who does the filmmaker want me to be angry at?  

The American political system, attention seeking prostitutes, the media, Eliot Spitzer himself

Level of anger/concern about the above before I watched the movie? 

Medium – I have an alarming interest in the business of prostitution.  Also, I met Eliot Spitzer when I worked in DC and I liked the guy.

Personal character flaw revealed while watching the movie

I have an alarming interest in the business of prostitution.  Also, I’m more attracted to Eliot Spitzer after watching the movie.

But wait, I can defend myself

I don’t even know if I can.

Get in touch with Jenni at winewillfixit@gmail.com

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4 Comments

  1. P.S.- I have seen that PBS one on Prohibition b/c I’m an absolute NUT on that subject. (Seriously, I’ve read dozens of books on it, can’t get enough, etc.) It’s a pretty good piece of work, but once it gets to Al Capone it really spirals off into some less relevant or impactful aspects of Prohibition.

    Also, I thought they could’ve spent less time exploring the historical causes and influences that led to Prohibition becoming the law of the land (after all, they reduce nearly 100 years of politicking to about an hour and one-half with more ‘opinion’ than fact); there’re so many more fascinating exploits to the bootleggers and moonshiners that would’ve made for a more interesting documentary than what they served up.

  2. I thoroughly enjoyed this article. Regarding rape in the military: my personal flaw would be the fact that I, having not even watched a doc on the subject, just ASSUMED people who would voluntarily sign up to risk their lives in order to shoot brown people for pay would be prone to such activities. Cynical much?

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