The Divide
Synopsis
This real life detective story unravels the big story of the unprecedented shifts in income and wealth that have occurred over the last 35 years – the how, why and who. At the heart of the story is the shift to the freedom of the market, freeing businesses to create wealth for all, and make everyone better off.
As markets were freed and the financial sector deregulated, the wealth flowed to the top. Between 1979 – 2007 the top 1% of US households gained 275%, compared to 18% for the bottom fifth. A series of human narratives piece together the realities of life for those at varying ends of the income spectrum in the developed world today - a harsher society where stress, crime and fear are rising, and we increasingly see those around us as "other". Could economic differences be driving these social differences?
Inspired by he award-winning book 'The Spirit Level' by Professors Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, the film features Michael Marmot, Noam Chomsky, Alan Budd, Ha-Joon Chang and Alexis Goldstein.
Details
- Year
- 2015
- Type of film
- Features
- Running time
- 78 minutes
- Format
- Digital
- Director
-
Katharine Round
- Producer
- Christopher Hird, Katharine Round
- Editor
- John Mister
- Director of Photography
- Woody James
- Sound
- Glen Piegari, Francisco LaTorre
- Composer
- Andrew Hewitt
- Principal cast
- Alan Budd, Ha-Joon Chang, Noam Chomsky, Alexis Goldstein, Robert Frank, Paul Piff, Cathy O'Neil, Andrew Berg
Genre
Categories
Production Status
Production Company
The Spirit Level Film Company, Dartmouth Films in association with Literally Films
Dartmouth Films
Christopher HirdRoom F62, South Building
Somerset House
Strand
London
WC2R 1LA
Sales Company
Dartmouth Films
Christopher HirdRoom F62, South Building
Somerset House
Strand
London
WC2R 1LA
Page updates
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