Morgan Stanley's leaked 'The Hunger Games' video parody reveals cut-throat culture

A controversial video by investment firm Morgan Stanley which parodies ‘The Hunger Games’ has been leaked, highlighting its cut-throat culture.

‘The Margin Games: Manager on Fire’ was created for entertainment purposes at a branch managers’ meeting in February 2014, but was never shown.

The original film’s storyline is about a group of ‘tributes’ from different regions that must fight to the death – leaving one survivor. The same theme is adopted in Morgan Stanley’s parody, highlighting the dog-eat-dog nature of investment banking.

However, there is a notable difference between the two. While Jennifer Lawrence’s character is willing to sacrifice herself, Morgan Stanley’s Kristen Sario, Vice President - Branch Manager at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, says to her friend: “If it’s only you and I at the end, I promise I will make it as quick and painless as I can.”

Before joining Morgan Stanley in 2012, Sario was a Performer for the Walt Disney World Company.

Rick Skae - Eastern Division Director, Shelley O'Connor - Head of Field Management and Andy Saperstein - Head of Investment Products & Services also star in the parody as managers with a blasé approach to the death of the contestants.

The video also points at bankers’ futile attempts to try and ‘hide behind lawyers’ to survive.

According to Investment News, who obtained the video, there were a number of reasons for pulling the video – including HR’s concerns about some of the jokes and scenes of violence.

One scene depicts racial stereotyping as an Asian character is shown to be a martial arts expert. While another scene sees managers struggling to pronounce the surname of a contestant. 

To watch the video click here.