Watch Creating Freedom: The Lottery of Birth

Creating Freedom: The Lottery of Birth is a 2013 documentary film that explores the idea of how our social and economic structures have a great impact on our lives. The movie investigates the challenge of creating true freedom in contemporary society, and examines how our upbringing, family, education, and social class determine our choices and actions. The film features interviews with prominent thinkers, activists, and scholars, including Michael Albert, Stanley Aronowitz, Tony Benn, Colin Ward, and Noam Chomsky, among others.

The documentary starts with a fascinating premise: humans are born into a lottery that determines their social status, opportunities, and constraints in life. For instance, one’s place of birth, family income, and educational background, all play a crucial role in shaping one’s destiny. Over time, this creates a world in which inequality and social injustice become the norm, and where the most vulnerable members of society are left behind. The idea of “The Lottery of Birth” is thus an essential theme throughout the movie, and it is used as a framework for the discussion of various societal issues.

The movie progresses with interviews by some of the leading intellectuals in the world, who share their ideas and insights on the complex issues that shape the society. One of the key points made in the movie is that the current capitalist system, which prioritizes profit and accumulation of wealth over individual well-being, is not sustainable in the long run. This is because it leads to an ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor, with the consequences being devastating for the less privileged. The interviewees argue that for true freedom to exist in society, wealth and resources must be distributed more equally.

Throughout the movie, we hear various perspectives on the topic of freedom, and how it relates to issues such as democracy, equality, and human rights. The documentary also stresses the importance of education, and how it can be used as a tool to empower individuals and create a more just society. However, it also highlights the limitations of our current education system. It argues that the current education system, which is based on memorization and rote learning, does not foster true critical thinking and creativity, and therefore does not contribute to the creation of a more just world.

Another critical topic in the documentary is the role of technology in contemporary society. The interviewees explore how technology can be a double-edged sword, used both for oppression and liberation. They discuss how social media and the internet have given people a new platform to express their views, and how it has played a role in political movements across the world. However, at the same time, they also highlight how technology has been used as a tool for surveillance and control.

As the movie progresses, it becomes clear that the questions asked in the film are complex, and there are no easy solutions to the issues discussed. The interviewees acknowledge that change is difficult, but they also make a case that change is necessary if we want to create a more just and equitable world. Their ideas are thought-provoking and challenge viewers to think critically about the world we live in.

Overall, Creating Freedom: The Lottery of Birth is a gripping and insightful documentary that looks at the challenges of creating true freedom in an unequal world. It features interviews with prominent intellectuals who provide profound insights into the social, economic, and political issues that shape our lives. The movie is thought-provoking and inspiring, and will leave viewers with a better understanding of how our society is constructed, and how it can be changed for the better.

Creating Freedom: The Lottery of Birth is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.