Watch Overdose

Overdose is a 2010 documentary film directed by Martin Borgs and narrated by Swedish writer Johan Norberg. The film aims to explore the causes and consequences of the global economic crisis that began in 2008. The film begins with an overview of the history of economic thought, tracing the evolution of economic theory from Adam Smith to John Maynard Keynes to Milton Friedman. The filmmakers argue that the dominant economic paradigm of the late 20th century was based on a set of assumptions about human behavior and markets that proved to be flawed.

From there, the film turns to the causes of the crisis. It examines the role of government policies that encouraged home ownership and the growth of the subprime mortgage market in the United States, as well as the financial innovations that made it possible for investors to spread risk around the world. The film argues that these factors, combined with a lack of effective regulation and increased leverage in the financial system, led to the collapse of the housing market and the subsequent global financial crisis.

The filmmakers also highlight the role of the Federal Reserve and other central banks in responding to the crisis. They argue that the policy of quantitative easing, which involved buying up large amounts of securities and injecting liquidity into the financial system, helped to stabilize the economy but may have longer-term consequences for inflation and the value of the dollar.

Throughout the film, Norberg interviews experts in finance, economics, and politics from around the world. He also travels to countries including Iceland, Estonia, and China to examine the impact of the crisis on these nations and their responses to the challenges they face.

One of the main arguments of the film is that the crisis was not caused by capitalism itself, but by a distortion of capitalism that allowed some actors in the financial system to take on excessive risk and engage in behavior that was ultimately harmful to the broader economy. The filmmakers suggest that a return to sound economic principles, including effective regulation and a focus on individual responsibility and free markets, is necessary to prevent similar crises in the future.

Overall, Overdose is a thought-provoking and informative documentary that sheds light on the complex factors that led to the global financial crisis of 2008. Through interviews with experts and analysis of economic theory and policy, the film provides a nuanced take on the crisis and its aftermath. Whether one is an economist, a policymaker or just a curious viewer, Overdose is definitely worth watching.

Overdose is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.