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 project
- 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
This page was last updated on 12th May 2025. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.
See also
You may also be interested in other relevant projects in the database.
Ghost Town
Director: Katharine Round
Year: 2026
In a Japanese coastal town still haunted by the 2011 tsunami, a taxi becomes a moving confession booth. Over the course of one night, a series of conversations between drivers and their passengers reveal how those who survived live with the dead - as ghostly tales, dreams and everyday life merge in a magical drift between reality and imagination. Official Selection Visions du Reel 2026
Forgotten Spaceman
Director: Elham Ehsas
Year: 2026
In 1988, Afghanistan sent its only astronaut into space, a journey that proved home can be farther than the stars. Official selection Locarno Film Festival 2026
I Heard That They Are Not Going To See Each Other Anymore
Director: Ka Ki Wong
Year: 2026
In present-day Taipei, Tao develops unexplainable affectionate feelings for Shin, an indifferent guy. Desperate to create lasting memories, she sends people to beat him up, using pain as a twisted form of connection. Meanwhile, Melih, having left Istanbul for Taipei, owns a noodle shop. One night, he receives an unexpected flower from the perpetually drunk Ping. Melih begins to stare into the flower from time to time, experiencing the tale of Tao and Shin and revealing his own unspoken desire and failed attempts to connect with Ping. As Melih digs deeper into the tale, he confronts his struggles to form meaningful relationships. His struggle gradually mirrors Tao’s struggle with Shin. As Tao grows closer to Shin, Shin vanishes, leaving Tao to realize that these recollections, retained only by her, might be mere figments of imagination. Tao’s tale then makes Melih question if it’s better to forget everything, as he contemplates whether letting go of solitary memories might finally bring him peace. Official selection CPH:DOX Copenhagen International Documentary Festival 2026 - Next:Wave Competition (World Premiere)