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This was a rather poor documentary. It was all over the place in terms of focus, and I'm guessing that's because it was easier for the director to take as many pot shots as possible this way.

There was very little coherence in the short 30 minutes(I mean really, what does the gay issue have to do with being "hot for profit"??), and the idea that changing one's attitude will bring about resolution to all the UN's millennium goals is naive, idealistic, and ridiculous.

I am not by any means well versed in issues of global poverty, but I can recognize this doc as an appeal to emotion based on anecdotes.

What would have been far better is if the director/narrator focused solely on one specific issue (say, poverty in Nicaragua as a whole), put forth good arguments based on reliable statistics and data, removed the cheap shots (mocking the local mayor and all politicians by calling them pigs isn't going to do any good), and then put forth at least a few concrete suggestions to go along with the idealism.

For those interested global poverty, check out http://www.gapminder.org and watch some of the videos by Hans Roslin. The guy makes excellent use of data to give people a better idea of what the world is actually like. Plus he is entertaining to boot.

The points were valid, but like the other post above states, references to the data were lacking. I especially lost faith when Hitler was brought up. Hitler killed a lot more than 6 million people. Where did that figure even come from? 6 million jews were killed, is that the only people that count? For a documentary that is supposed to promote international and global well-being I found leaving out all the others that were killed in WW2 to be pretty ignorant. It makes me question the credibility of the other statements made in the video. Again, however, the underlying points of education and a more responsible use of the media are incredibly important and undeniably valid. I also like the point at the end that we should get away from religion and use our brains instead.

ah, frog. i love you for so many of your posts, but but you must also acknowledge that sometimes, its the people who post those obscure videos are the ones who bring in the gold, even if its just once in awhile. dont berrat the man/or woman/ for trying. we all watch what we are drawn (or obsessed, in my respect) to watch.

Johnathan,

I get the point of the documentary. I just think that the prescription of "changing your attitude" alone will be ineffectual at creating any lasting change.

Pointing fingers and using the UN representatives as scapegoats followed by giving an unsubstantial "solution" isn't going to do any good.

How can we provide more education to the poor? How can we ensure high quality material on our newscasts? How can we foster better morals and respect? How can we reduce corruption within NGOs?

Even an attempt to answer any of those questions would have made for a much better documentary. I am entirely justified in being critical of this documentary because the director was himself critical of various groups, and didn't even, in my opinion, add anything constructive to the issue(s).

In regards to the conceptualization you mentioned, I think that if there was an opportunity to fairly change the way viewers perceive the issue, the director didn't take it. The film-maker does not seem to be a philosopher, but an idealistic youth with a passion.

pretty good documentary. Id like to change the world, but im only one man. Imagine if we could all stand against this evil force and actually would.

It’s great! But I wish they didn’t show us those gross images….