CRUDE ECONOMY
Crude Economy revolves around the social and economic transformations in the 20th and early 21st century. The selected films—ranging from experimental cinema and video art to documentary, industrial and educational films—look at the processes of industrialization and modernization, with a special focus on the reconstruction of Western Europe after World War II. The media campaigns that accompanied the American Marshall Plan not only presented the success of the extensive aid programme, but promoted the increase in productivity and trade as prerequisites for growth and prosperity for all.
The premises of neo-liberalism that prevailed under the patronage of the state are a second topic. The shift of power from labour to capital—as David Harvey points out—was crucial for the centralization of wealth through the evolution of today’s global financial system. Capital is not a thing but a process in which money perpetually searches for more money. All capital circulation is highly speculative, and eludes purely rational comprehension. Excessive risk-taking and lack of responsibility towards a common goodappears intrinsic to cyber capital. In the financial crisis of 2008, above all else the privatizing of profits and the socializing of losses showed the dominance of the banking sector over governments and people.
Besides discussing the ambivalence of our ways to work, make money, trade assets and consume, Crude Economy reflects on practices of resistance against the uneven distribution of wealth and opportunities, and the exploitation of human and natural resources which threatens to disintegrate societies all over the world.
Programme 1: Coal for Life Thursday 31 October 19:00
Programme 2: Free to Choose Friday 1 November 17:00
Programme 3: Trading Places Friday 1 November 19:00
Programme 4: Magic of Markets Saturday 2 November 19:00
Programme 5: History of Progress Sunday 3 November 15:00
Programme 6: Risks and Benefits Sunday 3 November 17:00
Programme 7: Creative Change Sunday 3 November 19:00