The Emperor's New Clothes

Michael Winterbottom Frankrijk, VK, VS 101 min.

A window washer has to work for 300 years in order to earn as much as the CEO of his company does... in one year. This growing inequality is what Russell Brand denounces in the aptly titled “The Emperor's Clothes”, a title that refers to being blind for the truth.

The 2008 economic crisis has taken a heavy toll, especially on the population that has lost a lot due to rigorous cutbacks. What bothers Brand is that the CEOs of the major banks and large companies all keep their bonuses and find all kinds of ways to avoid paying taxes.

World-known British comedian and activist Russell Brand cooperates with director Michael Winterbottom to denounce economic inequality and the consequences of the financial crisis in “The Emperor's New Clothes”. The comedic factor but also Brand’s own knowledge of this serious topic, make this documentary both educational and fun to watch. It comes across as very sincere, a true cry of rage against the political and economic elite.