The Big Scary "S" Word

Released Sep 3, 2021

1h 22m

Documentary

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15 Reviews

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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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dave d

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

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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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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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

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

Sep 3, 2021

Full Review

Nicolas Rapold

New York Times

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.

Sep 2, 2021

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Dennis Harvey

Variety

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

Aug 18, 2021

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

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

Rated: FOUR STARS

Mar 6, 2022

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Alex Bentley

CultureMap

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.

Sep 18, 2021

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Brad Keefe

Columbus Alive

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

Rated: 2/5

Sep 17, 2021

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

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