UnCharitable

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UnCharitable

Released Sep 22, 2023

1h 30m

Documentary

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2 Reviews

89%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

What if charity could be transformed from a gesture to an answer--to solving the world's greatest problems? What if everything we've been taught about charitable giving is wrong? What if it's undermining the very causes, we love the most? UnCharitable is a one-of-a-kind movie that shows how our charitable traditions and prejudices have suffocated the charitable sector and prevented it from leading the charge to truly change the world. Based on the book, "Uncharitable," by Dan Pallotta, which became one of the most talked-about TED talks of all time--changing everything from charity watchdog standards to the giving practices of America's biggest foundations--UnCharitable follows the stories of four iconic American charitable efforts that were crippled or destroyed by old ideas. Step-by-step, and with a chorus of leading voices in the field, the movie shows how charity's real power has been misunderstood and undermined by anachronistic ideas about frugality and deprivation and takes the viewer on a journey from sach-cloth and ashes to a place where unleashed, charities can play the leading role in creating an unimaginably beautiful world that works for everyone. No topic is more crucial or timelier as we confront a world with increasingly complex problems, with the least of us left behind, and with the growing revelation that we are all interconnected and that our fate lies in our willingness to turn away from old ideas that have not worked and embraced radically new ones that can.

Brian Lowry

CNN.com

[Illustrates] that while raising money is where most charity begins, the complexity lies between the desire to help and turning that into tangible benefits.

Sep 26, 2023

Full Review

Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

One of my least favorite types of documentaries: A rich guy with a particular and esoteric axe to grind who decided the thing to do was to make a documentary about it.

Rated: 1/5

Oct 14, 2023

Full Review

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Will Y

Long, drawn out, and repetitive. Dan's TED talk 10 years ago (which this movie keeps showing) has the exact same message, yet the film hasn't progressed any of the thinking in that time. If you're interested in the topic, just watch the TED talk. Apart from that, some of the arguments in the film are laughably flimsy. The film makers argue that no one questions the salary of a CEO of a corporation, but we do question the salary of a charity CEO. Well, that's cos they are two different types of entities, with different structure, stakeholders and incentives. While there is value in some of the messages, overall the arguments presented in this film require an elementary school level of thinking to debunk. Was hoping for more.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/09/23

Full Review

Martin W

Powerful, moving, informative and highly accurate about the sector, and a critical movie in this moment of humanity where we need radical change.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

Full Review

Bart L

Nonprofits are an essential and overlooked fabric in our society, and this movie helps us see how we are typically treating them as second class. A "must watch" for everyone.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/23

Full Review

Bree J

Phenomenal movie that changed my understanding of non profits and the constraints outdated thinking has placed on non profits. Must see!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/06/23

Full Review

Akuyoe G

This movie is fantastic- very moving, compelling and truthful. It inspired me, and I plan to host a screening and I have never done that for any film up to now. It's a must see for my staff, friends and associates.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/04/23

Full Review

Laura W

An absolute must-see for anyone who gives to a charity, works for a charity or has an opinion about how charities are run. Eye-opening and life changing!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/04/23

Full Review

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Stephen Gyllenhaal

Director

Dan Pallotta

Self

Kathleen Man Gyllenhaal

Writer

Dan Pallotta

Writer

Kathleen Man Gyllenhaal

Producer

Stephen Gyllenhaal

Producer

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Synopsis

What if charity could be transformed from a gesture to an answer--to solving the world's greatest problems? What if everything we've been taught about charitable giving is wrong? What if it's undermining the very causes, we love the most? UnCharitable is a one-of-a-kind movie that shows how our charitable traditions and prejudices have suffocated the charitable sector and prevented it from leading the charge to truly change the world. Based on the book, "Uncharitable," by Dan Pallotta, which became one of the most talked-about TED talks of all time--changing everything from charity watchdog standards to the giving practices of America's biggest foundations--UnCharitable follows the stories of four iconic American charitable efforts that were crippled or destroyed by old ideas. Step-by-step, and with a chorus of leading voices in the field, the movie shows how charity's real power has been misunderstood and undermined by anachronistic ideas about frugality and deprivation and takes the viewer on a journey from sach-cloth and ashes to a place where unleashed, charities can play the leading role in creating an unimaginably beautiful world that works for everyone. No topic is more crucial or timelier as we confront a world with increasingly complex problems, with the least of us left behind, and with the growing revelation that we are all interconnected and that our fate lies in our willingness to turn away from old ideas that have not worked and embraced radically new ones that can.

Director: Stephen Gyllenhaal
Producer: Kathleen Man Gyllenhaal, Stephen Gyllenhaal
Screenwriter: Kathleen Man Gyllenhaal, Dan Pallotta
Distributor: Abramorama
Production Co: Upstream Pictures (II)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 22, 2023, Limited
Runtime: 1h 30m

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