Expired October 1, 2021 3:45 AM
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A former Marine and a public school teacher in two different states find themselves broke and unable to sustain their livelihoods through their jobs. Activated by the energy of the 2016 Sanders presidential campaign and the murmurs of a state-wide teacher strike, both turn to socialism, a once-fringe ideology, to tackle problems larger than themselves.

THE BIG SCARY “S” WORD delves into the rich history of the American socialist movement and journeys with the people striving to build a socialist future today.

With inequality growing, a climate catastrophe looming, and right-wing extremism ascending around the world, many Americans are wondering whether capitalism is to blame. 

But what is the alternative? Socialism is plagued by conflicting definitions. Is it dictatorship or democracy? Norway or Venezuela? Reform or revolution?

This film explores where American socialism has been, why it was suppressed, and imagines what a renewed American socialism might look like.

  • Year
    2021
  • Runtime
    82 minutes
  • Language
    English
  • Country
    United States
  • Rating
    NR
  • Director
    Yael Bridge
  • Producer
    Yael Bridge, Morgan Spector, Eden Wurmfeld
  • Co-Producer
    Christie Herring, Sasha Leitmann
  • Cast
    Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, Cornel West, Naomi Klein, Richard Wolff
  • Cinematographer
    Eric Phillips-Horst
  • Editor
    Christie Herring
  • Animator
    Ariel Martian
  • Composer
    Osei Essed
  • Sound Design
    Matthew Strasser
  • Music
    Giosuè Greco