WINNER: ANTHEM FILM FESTIVAL, GRAND PRIZE WINNER: TEMPLETON FREEDOM AWARD Poverty Inc. examines the unintended consequences of efforts by the West to alleviate poverty in less-developed countries, suggesting that free markets would do more good than charity. [ Dir: Michael Matheson Miller/ 94 min/ Documentary/ Econ 101, Pro-capitalism/ 2014] "Poverty, Inc. is a very … [Read more...]
The Price of Peace | Film Review
A documentary examination of how best to avoid war reveals that maintaining a strong defense, costly though it may be, is inescapably the price of peace. [Price of Peace credits: Dir: Kip Perry, Elan Bentov/ Johan Norberg/ 60 min/ Documentary/ Anti-war/ 2018] "The film's even-handedness and effort to see both sides make it ideal classroom material for discussion around … [Read more...]
What Happened in Vegas | Film Review
GRAND PRIZE WINNER: ANTHEM FILM FESTIVAL Filmmaker Ramsey Denison investigates the Las Vegas police department for corruption -- and finds plenty. [ What Happened in Vegas credits: Dir: Ramsey Denison/ 90 min/ Documentary/ Abuse of power, Corrupt government/ 2017] "An eye-opening and hair-raising expose." In 2013, Ramsey Denison was vacationing in Las Vegas when he … [Read more...]
Citizen Jane: Battle for the City | Film Review
A journalist discovers spontaneous order in city development -- and takes on City Hall to fight its vision of a bulldozed, centrally-planned urban landscape. [ Citizen Jane: Battle for the City credits: Dir: Matt Tyrnauer/ 92 min/ Documentary/ Eminent Domain, Libertarian Heroes/ 2017] “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only … [Read more...]
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail | Film Review
Abacus Federal Savings Bank, a family-owned community bank, suffers the full wrath of regulatory authorities as it (curiously) becomes the only financial institution to face criminal charges related to the subprime mortgage crisis. [ Abacus: Small Enough to Jail credits: Dir: Steve James/ 88 min/ Documentary/ Anti-Regulation, Creator-As-Hero/ 2017] "Part lucid documentary, … [Read more...]
Trailblazers: The New Zealand Story (2017)
The story of New Zealand's fall and rise, as the country -- once bankrupted by decades of socialism -- fought its way back to prosperity through radical free market reforms. [ Trailblazers: The New Zealand Story credits: Dir: James Tusty & Maureen Castle Tusty/ Narrator: Johan Norberg/ 60 min/ Documentary/ Econ 101, Anti-Socialism, Pro-Capitalism] "Virtually all … [Read more...]
Life on Bitcoin | Film Review
A young married couple test the practicality of digital currency in the existing paper money world, by trying to live on Bitcoin alone -- for three months. [ Life on Bitcoin credits: Dir: Travis Pitcher, Joseph Lebaron/ Austin M. Craig, Beccy Bingham/ 96 min/ Documentary/ Anti-Regulation/ 2017] "Part newlywed road trip, part Bitcoin primer, Life on Bitcoin is a thoroughly … [Read more...]
Andy Paris: Bubble Gum King (2010)
An entrepreneur solves the post-WWII bubble gum shortage, bringing happiness and jobs to war-weary America -- until he is destroyed by the IRS. [ Andy Paris: Bubble Gum King credits: Dir: John Paris, Gabriel Ramirez/ Actors/ 65 min/ Documentary/ Creator-as-Hero, Pro-Capitalism, Anti-Taxation] "Andy Paris: Bubble Gum King is well-organized and worth watching for sheer … [Read more...]
Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower (2017)
A Hong Kong teenager organizes protests and civil disobedience to resist mainland China’s increasing encroachment on the liberties of Hong Kong citizens. [ Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower credits: Dir: Joe Piscatella/ Joshua 'Chi-Fung' Wong/ 79 min/ Documentary/ Libertarian Heroes, Resistance to Tyranny] "Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower is an inspiring story of youthful … [Read more...]
Tickling Giants (2016)
The true story of Bassem Youssef, a cardiologist turned comedian, who publicly criticized and mocked Egypt's corrupt government -- at great personal risk. [ Tickling Giants credits: Dir: Sara Taksler/ Bassem Youssef/ 111 min/ Documentary/ Freedom of Speech/ Egypt] External Reviews "There’s a lot to laugh at, and to learn from, in Tickling Giants, a documentary that starts … [Read more...]