FREE MONEY
Status: Released
WORLD PREMIERE: Toronto International Film Festival
WATCH FREE MONEY ON NETFLIX AFRICA
WATCH ON APPLE T.V UNITED KINGDOM
When universal basic income (UBI) comes to the Kenyan village of Kogutu, lives are forever changed. GiveDirectly, one of the fastest growing nonprofits of the 21st century, is sending free money for twelve years as part of the world’s largest UBI experiment. Filmmakers Lauren DeFilippo and Sam Soko juxtapose the story of these young economists, bankrolled by Silicon Valley and convinced that they have found an infallible algorithm to end world poverty, with portraits of local Kenyans whose lives are being dramatically impacted for better and for worse. UBI is at the forefront of political debate like never before, thanks to Andrew Yang’s presidential candidacy, covid stimulus packages, and trials underway around the world. This documentary is a fascinating case study of life in a village-turned-petri-dish from the perspective of those living out this revolutionary idea.
FESTIVALS
IDFA | Watch Docs Human Rights Festival | FIPADOC | Glasgow | CPH DOX | Docville | One World Int'l Human Rights Film Festival | Millenium International Documentary Film Festival | Academia Film Olomouc | Seattle International Film Festival | Dok.Fest Munchen | Docaviv | Mostra Ecofalante de Cinema | Sydney Film Festival | Encounters International Documentary Film Festival | Durban International Film Festival | Human Rights Film Festival Berlin
REVIEWS OF THE FILM
Global press
The Hollywood Reporter | Variety | POV Magazine | Deadline | The Film Stage
Realscreen | B.E.T | Film Threat IndieWire | Women and Hollywood |The Africa Report
VPRO GIDS Netherlands | Screen Daily | The UpComing U.K | The Reviews Hub
Kenyan press
Business Daily Review | The Star Review | Kenya Buzz | Kenyan Vibe Review | Standard Media Kenya | Sinema Focus Review
Interviews with the filmmakers
Sam Soko on The Stream, Al Jazeera speaking on 'Will Universal Basic Income become mainstream?'
Lauren DeFilippo hosted on International Labor Organization's Podcast on 'The Value of Free Money'
Lauren DeFilippo and Sam Soko speak about the film to Wilfred Okiche on The Africa Report
Sam Soko featured on Sinema Focus
Lauren DeFilippo and Sam Soko hosted on VOA Africa to document the Impact of UBI in Kogutu
Sam Soko featured on Business Daily Africa
CREDITS
|
Directors |
Lauren DeFillipo |
|
Sam Soko |
|
|
Cast |
Jael Rael Achieng Songa |
|
Emma Anyango Adhiambo |
|
|
John Omondi |
|
|
Larry Madowo |
|
|
Caroline Teti |
|
|
Andrew Yang |
|
|
Michael Faye |
|
|
Cinematography |
Vanessa Carr |
|
Nyasha Kadandara |
|
|
Bo Wambui |
|
|
Editing |
Ryan Mullins |
|
Raul Santos |
|
|
Mila Aung-Thwin |
|
|
Executive Producers |
Stephen Ives |
|
Bramwel Iro |
|
|
Christopher Buck |
|
|
Tess Cohen |
|
|
Producers |
Amanda Pollak |
|
Jordan Fudge |
|
|
Jeremy Allen |
|
|
Lauren DeFilippo |
|
|
Sam Soko |
|
|
Production companies |
Insignia Films |
|
LBx Africa |
|
|
Retro Report Films |
|
|
New Slate Adventures |
|
|
Sound |
Edward Ahenda |
|
Fiona McBain |
|
|
Original Score |
Eduardo Aram |
|
International Sales Agent |
Dogwoof |
|
USA Sales Agent |
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) |