Reality through Fiction

Sometimes, the best way to understand or live reality is through fiction. Cinema provides with case studies, real world or interpretation of it with people facing similar conditions. Work, for many is no less than an experience that leads to the fulfillment of their mission. In this course they tend to find the truths of life, fruits of hope, hard work yielding unforeseen results and the ever-present opportunity for reconciliation and redemption.

Movies or the world of cinema at this point of time provides with practical lessons that sometimes tend to get lost in this fast moving busy world. They often reflect real world closely and help us observe the minute details we miss. Quality movie- storytelling takes us into the deep understanding of characters, situations, moments of achievements and failures and helps us realize our own potentials and frailty feeding our already thirsty minds.

The Must-see Cinemas for MBA Aspirants

Now coming to our concern, here are the top  movies of all time that will amp up your business acumen helping you get a close and personal look at the temptations and ambiguities you’re bound to eventually face:-

1. Wall Street (1987)

Plot: A young and impatient stockbroker is willing to do anything to get to the top, including trading on illegal inside information taken through a ruthless and greedy corporate raider who takes the youth under his wing.

Gekko spends time in prison for money laundering, but in the sequel “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”; he comes back to extract revenge on his Wall Street enemies and rebuild his empire.

Why worth the watch?

This movie reflects the risk taken by the people in both positive and negative manner and the extent they go to make money. The consequences of these actions are often harmful thereby showing what influence and greed can do to an ideal human soul.

2. Outsourced (2007)

Plot: The story revolves around the protagonist who is outsourced to India from Seattle to train his replacement. In the call center filled with willing young Indians he tries his best to make them sound American. However, tables turn when the situations change and is advised by a staff Asha to learn more about India, making him believe that this would be a better option as well as experience.

Why worth the watch?

This movie is the best for the international MBA aspirants as it throws light on cultural diversities and how it impacts the global market and the economy. It also focuses on how one should adjust to gain maximum benefits while simultaneously building connections to last a lifetime.

3. The Social Network (2010)

Plot: The story talks about Facebook- the most revolutionary creation of 2003 by a Harvard undergraduate and computer programming genius Mark Zuckerberg. In a fury of blogging and programming, what begins in his dorm room soon becomes a global social network and a revolution in communication; marking the emergence of the youngest billionaire in history. But as it is said success has its own pros and cons and one has to be brave enough to face the unforeseen risks. Something similar was faced by him where he was sued by two brothers who claimed that Zuckerberg stole their idea and imprints and made him throw out of his own creation. This made him face the bitter consequences of personal and legal complications.

Why worth the watch?

This movie is actually worth the watch because it shows the evolution of an idea and the consequences faced in this course. Besides risks there are several other factors that can make the idea suffer losses. Therefore, this movie also makes the viewers (especially, the MBA aspirants) realize the true nature of business, ethics, power, emotional intelligence and leadership.

4. Wal-Mart:The High Cost of Low Price (2005)

Plot: This is a documentary based on the critical practices of Walmart as a business firm. It shows the interview of various employees, small scale business firms and the effect Walmart has caused on their daily life. It is an archival footage of Walmart executives combined with statistics which give a clearer picture of its actual working. In short, it is a look at the impact of the retail giant on local communities.

Why worth the watch?

This movie gives an insight into the actual scenario of Walmart and how it works as a corporation. The way they treat their employees and how they respond to union negotiations. This throws light on the overall strategy of the company and how they managed to be the biggest retailer of all time. Since, this movie is realistic; it provides valuable information to the MBA aspirants.

5. Boiler Room (2000)

Plot:  Movie is about a college dropout, attempting to win back his father’s high standards. Being highly ambitions, he somehow gets a job as a broker for a suburban investment firm, which puts him on the fast track to success, but the job might not be as legitimate as it once appeared to be placing him once again at odds with his father and what remains of his morality.

Why worth watching?

This movie shows the drawbacks of easy money and the evils that had crept in, in the 1990s. It shows the management students the ethics of corporate and also makes them realize why is it important to understand the nature of job and investigating about it before accepting it.

6. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Plot: Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, who served 22 months in prison for defrauding investors in a securities scam that involved widespread corruption in banking world and also on Wall Street. This movie is about his rise of a wealthy stock-broker living the high life, to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

Why worth the watch?

The movie shows the power of charisma and how can it be used both negatively and positively to mould others. A much needed trait that every management student should develop. It also shows the business ethics, intelligence and strong leadership qualities of Jordan and how wrong decisions can cause immediate fall in corporate world.

7. The Corporation (2003)

Plot: A documentary that shows interviews of various corporate executives, their experience and highlights their history upto the present day dominance.

Why worth the watch?

This film teaches its viewers about the various intricacies of present corporate sector and the evolution of business world. It also covers various topics under the curriculum of branding, capitalism, corporate crime, marketing, social responsibility, regulation, strategies for change and more.

Quoting the most sought after business principle which all these B-movies have in common is keep your friends close and enemies closer. Chase your dreams and live reality through fiction because as we all know knowledge and experience has no source and ideas can be generated from the most unexpected places.