Watch Fail State

Fail State is a thought-provoking documentary film directed by Alexander Shebanow that delves into the shady and corrupt world of for-profit colleges in the United States. The film premiered at the Austin Film Festival on October 28, 2017, and has since received positive reviews from audiences and critics alike for its insightful exploration of a critical issue in American society.

The film follows the personal stories of several students who were duped by for-profit colleges and left with crushing debts and worthless degrees. These students come from different backgrounds and have their unique reasons for enrolling in these institutions that promise lucrative careers and a better future. But as the film reveals, the reality is far from the rosy picture painted by these colleges, which are more interested in making profits than delivering quality education.

The film features interviews with experts, educators, and policymakers who shed light on the extent of the problem and its impact on the lives of students and society as a whole. Among the notable figures featured in the film are former Senator Tom Harkin and former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, both of whom have been outspoken critics of for-profit colleges.

The film also examines the role of government in regulating these colleges and protecting students from the shady practices of these institutions. It shows how lobbying and campaign contributions from the for-profit college industry have influenced lawmakers to turn a blind eye to the growing problem and even roll back regulations that aimed to protect students. This has resulted in a system where taxpayers' money is funneled into these colleges through federal grants and loans, while students are left with huge debts and no job prospects.

The film's director, Alexander Shebanow, uses creative and engaging storytelling techniques to keep the audience invested in the issue throughout the film. He employs a mix of animation, archival footage, and personal testimonies to illustrate the complexity of the problem and its implications for society. His use of humor also lightens the mood and makes the film more accessible and engaging for general audiences.

The film's soundtrack, composed by Kyle James Hauser, is another highlight of the film. The acoustic guitar-driven score perfectly captures the film's themes of hope, struggle, and resilience, and adds an emotional dimension to the stories of the students featured in the film.

Overall, Fail State is an eye-opening and timely documentary that exposes a critical issue in American society that has been largely ignored by the mainstream media. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in education, public policy, and social justice. The film offers a sobering reminder that the pursuit of profit should never come at the expense of human lives and dignity. It demands action and accountability from policymakers and the public to ensure that higher education is accessible and beneficial for all.

Fail State is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 68.