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Cola Wars

Cola Wars

2019

Director

Mark Herzog

Runtime

84 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Traces the long and ferocious rivalry between Coke and Pepsi, centered on the "New Coke" debacle of 1985. For almost a hundred years, Coke had been the undisputed leader in the multibillion dollar global soda industry--stodgy, predictable, but indisputably top dog--while Pepsi had been the upstart No. 2, forever poking at its big brother with cutting edge advertising. But in 1985, in a stranger-than-fiction twist, Coca-Cola's executives took a step so daring that no one in either company could believe it: they changed the formula of the most popular beverage on the planet.

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Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

1.9/10

Minimal


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film focuses exclusively on corporate history and industrial rivalry. There are no LGBTQ+ characters or narratives addressing non-cisnormative identities.

Gender Representation

Limited

The narrative centers on corporate executives and leaders. It lacks evidence of gender-diverse agency or the subversion of traditional masculine leadership roles.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

The subject matter concerns global industries, yet the film lacks a diverse cast of subjects. The narrative appears centered on Western corporate structures.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

The film examines the mechanics of global capitalism and Western corporations. It focuses on market volatility rather than cultural or institutional critique.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no mention of subjects with visible or invisible disabilities within the scope of the film.

Strengths

  • Provides a detailed historical account of the 1985 'New Coke' era.
  • Explores the tension between established institutional dominance and disruptive market challengers.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks intersectional character development or identity-driven storytelling.
  • Fails to address social identity or deconstruct systemic hierarchies within the corporate narrative.

AI Analysis

Cola Wars is a historical documentary centered on the intense rivalry between Coca-Cola and Pepsi. The narrative architecture prioritizes market dynamics, brand management, and the 1985 'New Coke' debacle over social identity. The film functions as a study of capitalism and consumer psychology. Because the conflict is rooted in corporate competition rather than identity-based power dynamics, it lacks intersectional depth. Ultimately, the documentary follows traditional industry-focused conventions. It provides a look at global beverage history without exploring systemic hierarchies or diverse social representation.

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