Citizen Black

Aug 28 2004 N/A 1h 28m
Documentary

This Canadian made documentary follows newspaper magnate Lord Conrad Black at one of the most tumultuous times of his life. A flamboyant and controversial individual, Black's publishing empire began with his takeover of the Daily Telegraph in 1985 and his publishing credentials include owning 60 percent of Canadian daily newspapers, founding the National Post, acquiring the Chicago Sun-Times, Jerusalem Post, Sydney Morning Herald, Melbourne's The Age and The Spectator among others. Black's personal life is no less contentious as he once famously sued the Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien to accept a British peerage and renounced his Canadian citizenship when he lost the lawsuit. While he once owned the fastest-growing press empire in the world - reputedly the third largest in the world this documentary follows Black at the point where his publishing empire is crumbling.

Plot

I don't know, I wondered how on earth they could make a documentary about such a fascinating personality so deeply boring and, worse than that, irritating. The editing was so frantic and intrusive that it distracted me from coming to grips with the character. Just as we were getting to something interesting, the moment was snatched away and we were off at a tangent.Also the time-line was chaotic and confusing: I believe that this is already a complex story that needs to be told in proper sequence for thorough understanding - and its telling requires no special effects, animations or dressing up - I kept silently screaming "Give it to me straight guys - I can take it!" Instead you are constantly aware of the director's need for attention.Whatever you may say about Conrad Black, he doesn't lack depth - and lack of depth was the biggest problem with this documentary.

Written by

Rick Caine, Debbie Melnyk

Directed by

Debbie Melnyk

Cast

Conrad Black, Barbara Amiel, Debbie Melnyk

Crew

View crew

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
82
Average Rating
5.8 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA