Heist: Who Stole the American Dream

Heist: Who Stole the American Dream? exposes the roots of the American economic crisis and the destruction of the American dream. With clear, fact-driven storytelling, Heist unflinchingly reveals the hollowing out of the U.S. economy - the result of four decades of deregulation, massive job outsourcing, and tax policies favoring mega-corporations and wealthy elites. Beginning with background on the New Deal, the film explores how FDR’s progressive policies were derailed by Ronald Reagan and subsequent presidential administrations, benefiting only the wealthiest investors and CEOs.Through expert testimony, investigative filmmaking and key archival footage, Heist unfolds critical historical background, beginning with the dismantling of FDR's New Deal, uncovering the ideological influence of the infamous Powell Memo and the Heritage Foundation's Mandate for Leadership on government reform, and traces both Republican and Democratic allegiance to big business.

HEIST exposes the full story: how corporate leaders worked with elected politicians of both major parties to create the largest transfer of wealth in history, looting the economy to create a gap between rich and poor previously seen only in impoverished colonial nations. Structured as a political thriller, Heist effectively connects the dots to show audiences how - and why - we live in an era of class warfare, and what we can do to restore democracy and economic fairness. The movie posits that a fair economy requires that those responsible for the crisis be held accountable; rigorous reforms must be enacted into law; too big to fail corporations must be dismantled; progressive taxation must be restored; and a fair, sustainable local model of economic resilience must be accelerated. Heist is the rallying cry of the 99%, who can take this
moment in history and transform the American economic and political landscape through information-sharing and direct action.

“The film provides a crisp, succinct answer to a question that nags most Americans: What the hell happened?” (Chuck Bowen, Slant)

“[The film] has the virtue of taking the long view of a crisis that recent films like "Inside Job" and "Too Big to Fail" have only sketchily explored. It makes a strong case that government regulation of business is essential for democracy to flourish.” (Stephen Holden, New York Times)