Watch Requiem For The American Dream

Requiem For The American Dream is a thought-provoking and hard-hitting documentary film released in 2015, featuring the eminent intellectual and political commentator, Noam Chomsky. Basing its arguments on Chomsky's decades of astute observations on American democracy, this documentary offers an incisive and critical analysis of the systems and structures that have led to the decline of America's economic and political power.

The movie highlights the 10 principles of concentration of wealth and power, which is a manifesto of sorts, that Chomsky has been preaching for years. The documentary explores the systemic nature of the flaws in America's socio-economic structure, the root causes of inequality, and the negative effects of the political and economic actions of the wealthy and their influence on democracy.

The film begins with Chomsky discussing his personal philosophies and beliefs regarding the nature of democracy and the role of business in society. He stresses the importance of the media in shaping public opinion and how it is often used to canonize certain ideas while suppressing opposing views. Chomsky goes on to argue that the biggest threat to democracy today, more than any other time in American history, is the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few.

The documentary, through Noam Chomsky's reflection and insights, argues that the growing disparity between the rich and poor in America is by design, rather than a natural result of a capitalist economy. The system is rigged to allow the rich to amass power and wealth while keeping the rest of the population under control. The film also highlights the role of the government and how it is often used to promote the interests of corporations rather than acting in the best interest of its citizens.

Chomsky takes a historical perspective in the documentary, tracing the roots of America's political and economic systems to its earliest days, and shows how they have historically been skewed in favor of the rich and powerful. The documentary argues that corporate sponsorship of government has given them unprecedented access to resources and decision-makers, allowing them to hollow out democratic institutions and shield their interests from the public.

The documentary is interspersed with clips of other well-known figures commenting on the issue, including historians and economists like Joseph Stiglitz, and public figures like activist and leader Malcolm X. Alan Greenspan, the former chairman of the Federal Reserve, provides a counterpoint view. However, despite some dissenting opinions, the film is clearly biased, pointing out the potential for corruption inherent in concentrating wealth and power.

In concluding the documentary, Noam Chomsky suggests that the American Dream, the ideal of social mobility and equality for all, is still alive and well, and that the solution is to curb the concentration of wealth and power through public policies that favor the common good. He urges the public to recognize the dangers inherent in the current system and to support the necessary changes to promote a more equitable society.

In summary, Requiem For The American Dream is a thought-provoking documentary that challenges the basic tenets of the American dream while offering insightful perspectives on the increasingly complex and divisive issues facing America today. It is a film that urges people to think critically and question established narratives, and is recommended viewing for anyone interested in the social and economic well-being of America.

Requiem For The American Dream is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.