In 2006, Danny Schechter created a film titled In Debt We Trust where he warned people about a coming credit crisis. People thought he was being an alarmist and a "doom and gloomer"... you know, one of those people who is always certain something bad is going to happen. Guess what? He was right.
Schechter has a new film titled Plunder: The Crime of Our Time where he shows how the financial crisis was built on a foundation of criminal activity. In the film, he speaks to bankers, economists, insider experts, and top journalists to show us how the crisis developed. He even speaks to a convicted white collar criminal who tells us all about the intentional dishonest practices of some of the companies involved. Yes, Schechter believes these are intentional crimes, not honest mistakes.
He takes us inside to view the collapse of Bear Stearns and talks to insiders who work in the industry. He also shows us how these government bailouts haven't helped the economy and may have in fact cost taxpayers billions of dollars for nothing. Yeah, I know, we knew it all the time but he shows us how. He feels we need to urge Congress to pass real reform and in order to do that, the public needs to understand how it happened and demand changes and punishment for those responsible.
This film is very well done and is created in the style of a documentary with him presenting the information and showing various news clips and interviews of industry leaders and everyday people. It's informative, interesting, and will hopefully urge people to fight for change before it's too late and we go through this again.
This DVD is full length (100 minutes) and contains bonus footage. You can find more information about the film and what's going on at the film's official website. One of my favorite quotes referenced is from The Law (1850) by political economist Frederic Bastiat: "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men, they create for themselves, in the course of time, a legal system that authorizes it, and a moral code that glorifies it."
Article comments
1 - Jeffrey Hillard
This is such an incredible and urgent film. The research, attention, and genuine passion devoted to subjects and information are profound.
Many cudos to this filmmaking team for producing such a timely documentary. It should get major attention. I hope it does. Danny Schecter is a wonderful documentary filmmaker, and I hope to see other films of his.
He deserves the awards. Thanks, Danny.
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2 - Ellen Christian
I totally agree, Jeffrey. It was really eye opening!