You are here:
Business of Disaster

Business of Disaster

2016

TV-PG

Director

Rick Young

Runtime

53 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

When disaster strikes, who profits? FRONTLINE and NPR investigate the Business of Disaster in a major, multiplatform collaboration focused on the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy: the thousands still not home, the agencies that were supposed to help, and the companies that made millions.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.0/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The documentary focuses on the economic and logistical fallout of Superstorm Sandy. There is no explicit evidence of specific LGBTQ+ character arcs or non-cisnormative identities within the narrative.

Gender Representation

Fair

The film examines corporate profit motives and agency efficacy. While the subject matter is inherently gender-neutral, it lacks specific evidence regarding gendered power dynamics or the subversion of traditional roles.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Good

The investigation into those left without homes engages with socioeconomic disparities. The narrative likely centers marginalized voices by highlighting how disaster recovery impacts are stratified by race and class.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The film offers a sharp critique of capitalist structures and institutional ethics. It challenges Western institutions by framing them as potentially predatory during humanitarian crises rather than protective.

Disability Representation

Fair

The aftermath of a natural disaster necessitates the inclusion of vulnerable populations. The focus on displaced citizens suggests an engagement with those facing physical or mental vulnerabilities.

Strengths

  • Strong systemic critique of capitalist structures and corporate profiteering during humanitarian crises.
  • Focuses on marginalized voices and the socioeconomic disparities inherent in disaster recovery.
  • High-quality investigative pedigree from FRONTLINE and NPR that challenges institutional stability.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks explicit evidence regarding specific LGBTQ+ character arcs or non-cisnormative identities.
  • Provides limited detail on specific gendered power dynamics or the subversion of traditional roles.
  • Specific depictions of neurodivergence or physical disability are not clearly detailed.

AI Analysis

Business of Disaster serves as a systemic critique of how institutional failures and corporate greed intersect during humanitarian crises. By centering the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the film prioritizes the experiences of the displaced over the stability of the institutions meant to serve them. The documentary's strength lies in its structural intent to deconstruct power hierarchies. It moves beyond simple reporting to investigate how profit motives can exacerbate the suffering of marginalized populations during a disaster. However, the film's demographic specificity remains somewhat opaque. While the investigative framework suggests a focus on socioeconomic and racial inequities, there is a lack of explicit detail regarding gendered or LGBTQ+ narratives.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.