Freakonomics

Based on the book by Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, the documentary film FREAKONOMICS brings together different stories from different directors on the theme of how economics work in different situations. Alex Gibney (Enron:The Smartest Guys in the Room, Casino Jack and the United States of Money) delivers a visually arresting look at the crumbling facade of Sumo wrestling and exposes searing and violent truths about this ancient and revered sport. Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) offers up a buoyant and revealing angle on the repercussions of baby names. Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing (Jesus Camp) balance levity and candor with their eye-opening profile of underachieving kids incentivized to learn with cold hard cash. Finally, Eugene Jarecki, who brought us the unforgettably powerful Why We Fight, investigates an unsettling theory to explain why crime rates dramatically dropped in the early 90s. Seth Gordon (The King of Kong) weaves the pieces together with brisk interludes, providing context and commentary from the authors. Freakonomics exposes the hidden side of everything, debunking conventional wisdom, and revealing what answers may come if one just asks the right questions.

“Adds up to a revelatory trip into complex, innovative ideas and altered perspectives on how people think.” (John Anderson, Variety)

“A really innovative way to explore a potentially boring subject like economics in a way that mass audiences can understand and appreciate.” (Edward Douglas, ComingSoon.net)