A fascinating discussion about something that we take for granted, often amusing, and enlightening.
Power Trip (2003)
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Reviews Counted:32
Fresh:31
Rotten:1
Average Rating:7.5/10
Theatrical Release:Dec 10, 2003 Limited
Synopsis: Set in Tbilisi, Georgia in the former Soviet Union, POWER TRIP looks at the privatization of electricity as managed by an American company called AES. The head of the company, Piers Lewis, tries to... Set in Tbilisi, Georgia in the former Soviet Union, POWER TRIP looks at the privatization of electricity as managed by an American company called AES. The head of the company, Piers Lewis, tries to introduce the concept of paying for power to people in massive flux learning to live in a rapidly changing society. Directed by Paul Devlin, the incredibly complex web of problems faced by AES is clearly outlined, beginning with the lowest common denominator--the people--and building up to major political, corporate, and financial problems that are the real reason Tblisi's power dilemma is so daunting. An upbeat soundtrack of local music keeps the mood of the film perky as a large amount of information is provided through various methods of narration. Tours of power facilities show how citizens have vandalized the wires, attaching their own flimsy lines in dangerous configurations so they can pipe power into their homes for free. Meanwhile, television ads sponsored by AES warn of the danger of electrocution. Interviewees range from struggling people protesting their power bills in the streets to major corporate moguls who are hogging power for industrial use. A fascinating film punctuated by commentary from the charismatic and dedicated Piers, POWER TRIP paints a picture of a chaotic 21st century situation with no obvious solution. [More]
Starring: Piers Lewis, Michael Scholey, Dennis Bakke
Starring: Piers Lewis, Michael Scholey, Dennis Bakke
Director: Paul Devlin
Director: Paul Devlin
Producer: Paul Devlin
Studio: Films Transit International
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Reviews for Power Trip
An arresting and fascinating story that's ultimately not only about politics and business, but also about the human condition itself.
The film's DV capture is often shabby, but the intriguing imagery compensates -- from slums to nearby mountains, from impassioned, defiant natives to stone-faced or sleazy potentates.
Through the ever-hopeful eyes of Lewis, the story unfolds in unexpected directions, emerging as both a portrait of a changing Georgia and a study of power.
An instructive account of the perils of attempting to privatize decrepit public utilities in countries with stagnant economies.
Despite its shortcomings as objective reporting, Power Trip offers a glimpse into a sputtering culture that, after decades of communist rule, has little chance of survival in the modern world.
A gripping film dealing with a variety of complicated themes, the film even at times manages to play like a suspense thriller.
could have gone further with the situation’s opportunities for black humor
Keep your ears pricked and your wits about you and you won't find a more gripping treatment of Georgia's troubled transition from communism to market capitalism.
The entire dispute is bizarre, and Devlin taps into that. His approach is light-hearted but never flip, balancing the company's plight and the public's ire.
An up-close look at a poor communist country's transition to capitalism through an unexpected vehicle — the local power company.
Like the best documentaries, this one raises questions instead of providing pat answers.
Forgoing the usual talking heads and stock footage, this new documentary by Paul Devlin actively and dramatically records the recent electricity fiasco in Georgia (just south of Russia).
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