Maxed Out

D: James D. Scurlock

A disturbing look at the state of debt in America – from the highest levels of government to the working-class poor – Maxed Out elevates corporate power and greed to a whole different level. They say nothing causes more stress than money. After the images of mothers who have lost their children to suicide over immense credit-card debt trade off with the smiling faces of collectors, credit-card company CEOs, and our very own Dubya, a real-life horror story unveils. Maxed Out is sort of a plastic Super Size Me, where every interviewee knows that this is out of control, yet they feel hopeless and unable to deal. Lives are ruined, bankruptcy is declared, bills are passed. The trouble is that as the nation’s individual and collective debt skyrockets, megacorporations and the Enronites of the world are bowed down to. What Scurlock asks through his crystal lens is “What are we going to do?”

Maxed Out received a Special Jury Award.

11am, Paramount

This article appears in March 17 • 2006.

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