Klein distances herself from Winterbottom adaptation
28.08.09 Katie Allen

Naomi Klein has distanced herself from film-maker Michael Winterbottom’s adaptation of her polemic on free market capitalism, The Shock Doctrine (Penguin), which is due to be broadcast on Channel 4 on 1st September.

Klein, who was originally intended to narrate the film and act as consultant, does not appear in the credits as writer or consultant, and does not act as narrator.

She also did not attend its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year, and does not mention it on her website. According to the Independent, a Channel 4 source said Klein had distanced herself from the film after seeing early cuts.She told the newspaper: "I can confirm that the original idea was for me to write and narrate the film. For that to have worked out, however, there would have needed to be complete agreement between the directors and myself about the content, tone and structure of the film."As often happens, we had different ideas about how to tell this story and build the argument. This is Michael's adaptation of my book, and I didn't want there to be any confusion about that. I wish the film success."
The Independent’s reviewer Johann Hari described the film as “garbled to the point of meaninglessness” and "a shocking waste of a masterpiece”.