Watch The Kleptocrats

The movie "The Kleptocrats" from 2018 is a documentary directed by Sam Soko and Havana Marking. The film revolves around one of the biggest financial scandal in the world, the 1MDB scandal, which involved Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and the alleged misappropriation of over $4.5 billion from 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad), a state-run investment fund.

The movie follows a group of investigative journalists from different countries, who try to uncover the truth behind the 1MDB scandal. They uncover the involvement of Malaysian officials, Goldman Sachs executives and Hollywood celebrities, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, in the scandal. The journalists also reveal the extravagant lifestyle of Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor, who are accused of buying luxurious properties, jewelry and artworks using the embezzled money.

The movie starts with a brief history of Malaysia and the rise of Najib Razak to power as the Prime Minister in 2009. It shows how the 1MDB fund was created with the aim of boosting Malaysia's economy, but instead it became a tool for corruption and money laundering. The film highlights the efforts of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who exposed the corruption in 1MDB and criticized Najib Razak's government.

The Kleptocrats showcases the investigation carried out by the US Department of Justice, the FBI and the Malaysian authorities into the 1MDB scandal. It reveals the intricate web of transactions that were used to launder the money, including offshore accounts, shell companies and complex financial instruments. The movie also exposes the collusion between Goldman Sachs executives and Malaysian officials, who received huge fees for arranging bond sales for 1MDB, despite knowing that the money would be misused.

The film features interviews with prominent figures involved in the 1MDB scandal, including Xavier Justo, a former PetroSaudi employee who leaked the documents that exposed the scandal, and Clare Rewcastle Brown, a British journalist who was sued by Najib Razak for her reporting on the 1MDB scandal.

One of the highlights of the movie is the role of Hollywood celebrities, such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Miranda Kerr, who received gifts from the Malaysian businessman Jho Low, who is accused of using 1MDB money for his personal gain. The film shows how Low used his connections with Hollywood stars to gain influence in Malaysia and launder the money through the purchase of luxury goods.

The Kleptocrats sheds light on the aftermath of the 1MDB scandal, which led to the downfall of Najib Razak's government and the rise of Mahathir Mohamad as the new Prime Minister of Malaysia. The movie also discusses the broader implications of the scandal, such as the erosion of trust in democratic institutions, the global impact of corruption and the power of investigative journalism in exposing the truth.

Overall, The Kleptocrats is a powerful and eye-opening documentary that exposes the shocking truth behind one of the biggest financial scandals in history. It highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in governance, the need for ethical business practices, and the crucial role of the media in holding those in power accountable.

The Kleptocrats is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.