‘Capitalism: A Love Story’ And The Importance Of Asking Questions

American filmmaker Michael Moore is infamous among the American business and Wall Street elite as a result of his frank and critical documentaries. These have looked into issues across the spectrum – from 9/11 and the Bush administration (Fahrenheit 9/11, which notably was awarded the Palme d’Or and is the highest grossing documentary of all time) to the state of the American healthcare system (Sicko), to America’s gun crime problem (Bowling for Columbine). His 2009 documentary Capitalism: A Love Story, featured the stories of Americans who had been effected by the financial crisis of the late 2000s, as well as the reasons behind it and the activity of the banks at the time.

It’s shocking to realise the extent to which big banks and business have their claws in the system, and how they abuse it. Of course it would have been naive of me to have not already assumed to some degree that this was the case, but frankly the extent of the problem and the clear disregard those of those at the top of the chain have for the rest of us was astounding. From references to ‘dead peasants’ to manipulating billions of pounds out of the system, Moore (and others featured) makes clear the extent to which small groups of people have been allowed to gain atrocious amounts of power and wealth, and how the system allows the accumulation of these things to only lead to the further proliferation of them. Moore’s clear awareness and the way he is met by those he attempts to question or confront I think speaks volumes for how these people think they are able to get away with what are, at their core, criminal acts.

It isn’t only Moore; programmes like BBC’s The Revolution Will Be Televised have looked in a similar fashion at how corporations get away with acts like fraud, tax avoidance, underpaying staff, use of sweat shops… the list goes on. The behaviour of the ruthless, faceless ‘1%’ is increasingly clear, but what is also becoming clearer is how so many people are willing to ignore it. Perhaps some don’t realise the extent of the problem, or are happy to dismiss incidences as exaggerated or inevitable and unavoidable, but regardless of people’s current reasons for passivity, I am doubtful as to how long it will continue. Surely if a catalyst like Trump’s election doesn’t stir up enough unrest for people to start asking questions, and to continue to ask questions even when knocked back, nothing will. (That said, some kind of war on capitalism is probably as unlikely as those at the top suddenly deciding to hand over their wealth for the good of the planet.) Nonetheless, the work of people like Moore is essential to acquiring some small justices in the face of human greed and bigger causes which are much larger than we could possibly comprehend. Especially now, when we have so much to lose and are so close to losing it.