I.O.U.S.A.
Rank
Top 40% of all time (see others with this rank)
Festival Year
2008 (click here to see all competition films from this year)
Category
Documentary Competition
Non-Cast Credits
Patrick Creadon, Christine O'Malley, Addison Wiggin, Sarah Gibson, Theodore James, Kate Incontrera, Doug Blush, Peter Golub, Brian Oakes
Description
Wake up, America! Were on the brink of a financial meltdown. I.O.U.S.A. boldly examines the rapidly growing national debt and its consequences for the United States and its citizens. As the Baby Boomer generation prepares to retire, will there even be any Social Security benefits left to collect? Burdened with an ever-expanding government and military, increased international competition, overextended entitlement programs, and debts to foreign countries that are becoming impossible to honor, America must mend its spendthrift ways or face an economic disaster of epic proportions.
Throughout history, the American government has found it nearly impossible to spend only what has been raised through taxes. Wielding candid interviews with both average American taxpayers and government officials, Sundance veteran Patrick Creadon (Wordplay) helps demystify the nations financial practices and policies. The film follows U.S. Comptroller General David Walker as he crisscrosses the country explaining Americas unsustainable fiscal policies to its citizens.
With surgical precision, Creadon interweaves archival footage and economic data to paint a vivid and alarming profile of Americas current economic situation. The ultimate power of I.O.U.S.A. is that the film moves beyond doomsday rhetoric to proffer potential financial scenarios and propose solutions about how we can recreate a fiscally sound nation for future generations. Pointedly topical and consummately nonpartisan, I.O.U.S.A. drives home the message that the only time for Americas financial future is now.
Reviewer
David Courier (see other films reviewed by the same reviewer)