The Big Scary "S" Word

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The Big Scary "S" Word

2021

1h 22m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

87%

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15 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Featuring interviews with Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cornel West, and Naomi Klein, The Big Scary "S" Word explores the rich history of the American socialist movement. Weaving together hidden episodes of history and verité footage, the film shows that, contrary to popular belief, socialism is in fact deeply American and led to popular government programs such as public schools and Medicare. Activists and journalists explain how the 2008 financial crisis, the Wall Street bailout, the Occupy Movement, and the ascension of politicians like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have pushed a new generation to embrace the language of socialism.

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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

09/03/2021

All these pieces are well-polished, and some deliver fascinating factoids.

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Nicolas Rapold

New York Times

09/02/2021

With its alternate ideas for addressing urgent societal and economic needs, Bridge's educational documentary helps envision other ways of getting things done, at a time when there's ever more that needs doing.

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Dennis Harvey

Variety

08/18/2021

"The Big Scary 'S' Word" manages to make a potentially dry or angry subject more fun than you'd expect.

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

03/06/2022

FOUR STARS

If you're on the side that's winning, you've already lost.

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Alex Bentley

CultureMap

09/18/2021

The Big Scary "S" Word winds up in a place where the only ones who will likely care about it are those who were personally involved in its making.

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Brad Keefe

Columbus Alive

09/17/2021

2/5

The audience for this documentary will find it affirms their beliefs. The question is, how many minds will it actually change.

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dave d

@RT34924333 12/24/2021

While it's often all over the place, this full-length documentary on socialism and its pros and cons is an all encompassing approach to what kindness can do for you! It's ultimately a portrait in working together for the common good. It also excellently tells the viewer just how capitalism was able to get a strangle hold over populations. While well drawn it's not perfect and can be overly preachy. It's necessary to be informed thoroughly on each subject and this is an excellent start on the matter at hand. Final Score: 7.3/10

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Yael Bridge

Director

Lee J. Carter

Self

Bernie Sanders

Self

Cornel West

Self

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Self

Naomi Klein

Self

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The Big Scary "S" Word: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Featuring interviews with Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cornel West, and Naomi Klein, The Big Scary "S" Word explores the rich history of the American socialist movement. Weaving together hidden episodes of history and verité footage, the film shows that, contrary to popular belief, socialism is in fact deeply American and led to popular government programs such as public schools and Medicare. Activists and journalists explain how the 2008 financial crisis, the Wall Street bailout, the Occupy Movement, and the ascension of politicians like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have pushed a new generation to embrace the language of socialism.

Director: Yael Bridge
Producer: Yael Bridge, Morgan Spector, Eden Wurmfeld
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Production Co: Meerkat Media Collective, Wayland Productions, Flat Five Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 3, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 3, 2021
Runtime: 1h 22m