Free Money

Play trailer

Free Money

2022

1h 14m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

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.

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

04/19/2023

3/5

Perhaps this brief documentary does not fully investigate the implications, but it is an intriguing case study.

Go to Full Review

Guy Lodge

Variety

11/18/2022

Healthily skeptical but not damning, and generally prioritizing human interest over political polemic, this gripping, broadly accessible breakdown of a globally resonant subject boasts few stylistic or rhetorical fireworks...

Go to Full Review

Sheri Linden

The Hollywood Reporter

09/20/2022

A thoughtful starter for a pressing conversation.

Go to Full Review

Michael Ward

Should I See It

05/21/2023

2.5/5

...an interesting film, but paints this story only in broad strokes.

Go to Full Review

Ashley Nerbovig

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

05/15/2023

By the end, I was left uncertain how I felt about the project, but invested in tracking it through its conclusion in 2031. An absolute must-see.

Go to Full Review

Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

05/01/2023

What we see is watchable and quite informative, but there is only so much it can tell us about UBI.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Talk Film T

01/23/2024

Free money is one morally ambiguous yet great conversation starter documentary which I'd recommend everyone to watch and see whether you agree with the program or not. The approach by the filmmakers is great because it lets the viewer draw their own conclusions. I don't agree with all their shooting styles but I'm glad they told the story.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Lauren DeFilippo

Director

Sam Soko

Director

Jordan Fudge

Producer

Amanda Pollak

Producer

Tess Cohen

Producer

Jeremy Allen

Producer

The Battle for Laikipia

%

%

The Battle for Laikipia

Watchlist

Rising Up at Night

%

%

Rising Up at Night

Watchlist

Made in Ethiopia

%

%

Made in Ethiopia

Watchlist

Bobi Wine: The People's President

100%

83%

Bobi Wine: The People's President

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Bobi Wine: The People's President

Softie

92%

%

Softie

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Best Upcoming Documentaries from the Fall Festivals

View more photos

Synopsis

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.

Director: Lauren DeFilippo, Sam Soko
Producer: Jordan Fudge, Amanda Pollak, Tess Cohen, Jeremy Allen, Lauren DeFilippo, Sam Soko
Production Co: Insignia Films, Mega Gram Music, New Slate Ventures
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 14m