Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2019)

Adapting one of the most groundbreaking and powerful books of our time, Capital in the 21st Century is an eye-opening journey through wealth and power, that breaks the popular assumption ... See full summary »

Director:

Justin Pemberton

Writers:

Thomas Piketty (based on the book by), Matthew Metcalfe (adapted by)

Stars:

Vanessa Redgrave, Kate Williams, Thomas Piketty

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Self - protester (archive footage)
Kate Williams	...	Self - Professor of History, University of Reading
Thomas Piketty	...	Self
Gillian Tett	...	Self - U.S. Managing Editor, The Financial Times
Faiza Shaheen	...	Self - Director of Labor and Social Research Center
Ian Bremmer	...	Self - President and Founder, Eurasia Group
Rana Foroohar	...	Self - Associate Editor, Financial Times
Francis Fukuyama	...	Self - Political Scientist
Gabriel Zucman	...	Self - Professor of Economics, University of California, Berkeley
Suresh Naidu	...	Self - Professor of Economics, Columbia University
Simon Johnson	...	Self - Former IMF Chief Economist (2007-2008)
Paul Piff	...	Self - Social Psychologist, University of California, Berkeley
Joseph Stiglitz	...	Self - Professor of Economics, Columbia University
Paul Mason	...	Self - British Journalist
Bryce Edwards	...	Self - Political Scientist

Storyline

Adapting one of the most groundbreaking and powerful books of our time, Capital in the 21st Century is an eye-opening journey through wealth and power, that breaks the popular assumption that the accumulation of capital runs hand in hand with social progress, shining a new light on the world around us and its growing inequalities. Traveling through time from the French Revolution and other huge global shifts, to world wars and through to the rise of new technologies today, the film assembles accessible pop-culture references coupled with interviews of some of the world's most influential experts delivering an insightful and empowering journey through the past and into our future.

---

Genres:

Documentary

---

User Reviews

More about the past then the future; lots missing - poor title choice.

I have never done a film review but I felt I was so misled by this film that I had to do one.

It was painful to sit through "opinions" about the past (mostly rich bashing evil landowners) for the majority of the film.

Events as recent as 2008 were portrayed incorrectly. The 2008 crash was not because of the complicated instruments that banks created (CDA/Os) but it was, allegedly, about the collusion between the american banks and the american rating agencies (Standard and Poors and Moodeys). I reccomend people watch "The Big Short".

The past could have been pared down to 10-15 minutes and then we could have gone though all the possible new ideas for the 21st Century (what I though the film would be about) such as:

*Universal Wage* Why its important - AI/Robots taking all the jobs, destruction of decent jobs - being replaced with poorly paid jobs, how multinationals will have to be taxed (the film did, thankfully, cover tax profits based on users/sales in a country)

*Tax the super rich* more The film covered this to death; but never interviewed the rich people that actually support this idea - which I found an incredible omission.

*Cryptocurrencies* Breaking free from the state - absolutely NO mention!

*Modern Economic Theory* Government just print money - It DOES NOT cause hyper inflation unless you go past about 95% emplotyment (full employment). With this money the government can build infastructure, properly fund the Health Systems, Invest in new ideas etc. etc. The end result is to devaluing the savings of the super rich.

*Restructuring society* away from housing/land Over time limit mortgages; so the MAXIMUM mortgage you can ever get is 3xMAIN household salary. This will lead to house prices becoming capped, be default, and the "rich" have to find somewhere else to "invest" the money to get any sort of return. like... investing in new companies that actually create jobs!

Virtually *no* mention of the social aspects (small nod to elysium here.. but was mentioned for other reasons):

Virtually no mention of *People need purpose* We are moving into an era where people are losing their life purpose (job) and will need to find other purpose. This could be recreation, community, family etc. Suicide/Depression (and hencve drug use) will soar unless we deal with this; and soon.

No discussion about how society (and capital) will change in the 21st Century due to the impending destruction of the planet!

Sadly... *95%* of the talk was about America.. which seemed very biased... and I suggest people watch a film called "American Factory" for how the cultural difference will shape capital in china.

Sadly; in my opionin, a title with much promise delivered very little.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

France New Zealand

Language:

English French

Release Date:

3 April 2020 (USA)

Also Known As:

Capital in the Twenty-First Century

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$435,874

Company Credits

Production Co:

General Film Corporation, Upside Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Color:

Color