Adrenaline high when making a difference (Russell Brand Emperor’s New Clothes)

When I heard the Emperors New Clothes was a documentary about the financial crisis my brain threatened to switch off entirely. Could I really spend 101 minutes trapped in a dark room listening to various theories about how billions were lost? Turns out I could, what’s more it was fascinating … who knew? No doubt my enjoyment was aided by the passion and witticism of British comedian Russell Brand but it was more than that.

Thanks to Studio Canal

Brand joined forces with director Michael Winterbottom to develop a highly entertaining expose into the gross inequalities in today’s society. Having seen the movie a few weeks ago, it’s a testament to the team behind the movie that I still remember so much of it. Like the piece about two young looters who’d stolen an orange juice and an ipad during the riots. Both ended up in jail, one for 12 months. Meanwhile the men behind the billions lost during the financial crisis not only avoided jail, they continue to receive a huge pension. While I must confess to extreme ignorance about the financial crisis and the political landscape, surely this isn’t right?

Thanks to Studio Canal

The movie starts in Brands hometown of Grays in Essex, where he can’t walk down the street without people wanting to have a chat, even one elderly gentleman trying to have a conversation from the other side of the street. The movie switches back and forth between Grays, London City and the Big Apple, juxtaposing (always wanted to write that in a post) the lives of the inhabitants.

Thanks to Studio Canal

While documentary in style it is far removed from those I laboured through during school science. The use of archival footage helped remind me of 2008, a time that has rapidly faded from my memory as life has moved on. Some of the key messages I recall were …

• A CEO of a major British company used to earn 10 times the average wage, now they earn 200 times.
• The richest 80 people in the world own as much as the poorest 3.5 billion (Oxfam).

Brands brazen attempts to get close to the men behind the financial crisis were mesmerising, how he didn’t get arrested I don’t know.

Thanks to Studio Canal

The use of a classroom full of small children was a clever way to put the crisis into perspective and their innocent reactions help remind me how easy it is to forget what’s important.

Thanks to Studio Canal

The movie left me pondering about many, many issues, such as …

1. That inheritances will become even more important in the future.
2. That workers should be considered as important as shareholders.
3. The importance of buying local to keep money circulating in the local community
4. Whether there should be a Wealth Tax.
5. The power of the community. The movie features a community trying to override the privitisation of estate housing (I won’t tell you want happens).
6. It was nice to see Brand still intouch with his roots, jumping on a tram and reminiscing about fare evasion. It was even better to hear him acknowledge that he was a member of the top 1% income bracket being targeted, something that grated on me halfway through the movie.
7. It was also great to see Brand suggest some strategies at the end of the movie. All too often these documentary style movies do a great job of elevating a social issue but renege on suggesting solutions.
8. It was also fascinating to watch Brand patiently and graciously relating to the myriad of people wanting to stop him as he walks down a street. I don’t think I would be as patient.

Love him or hate him Brand is one bright cookie. Knowing that he is now drug free it was interesting to speculate about the presence of a new drug … the adrenaline high of making a difference. If so I for one hope that he doesn’t kick the habit.

Thanks to Studio Canal

This is one documentary not to be missed. Change can happen. Look for times in various cinemas including Luna, Paradiso etc.