The Century of Self - A Adam Curtis Documentary

This 2002 documentary series, directed by Adam Curtis, examines how psychoanalytic ideas, pioneered by Sigmund Freud and advanced by his nephew Edward Bernays, shaped 20th-century consumer culture and political control. Across four episodes, it explores how governments and corporations used psychological techniques to manipulate public desires, creating a "century of the self" focused on individualism and consumption. Using archival footage and interviews, Curtis reveals the hidden influence of propaganda and public relations on democracy and society.