Director Maren Poitras is FINDING THE MONEY on SOUNDS with Tom Needham

SOUNDS with Tom Needham

Get ready to embark on a thought-provoking journey with "FINDING THE MONEY," where American economist Stephanie Kelton explores the controversial world of Modern Money Theory (MMT). Kelton challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding the National Debt Clock, arguing that the ever-increasing numbers we see are not a burden on taxpayers or future generations. Instead, she posits that this "debt" represents the total amount of dollars created by the US federal government that now serve as assets in our hands.

As MMT gains traction in mainstream media, journalists begin to question whether we've misunderstood government spending all along. Despite the growing interest, the theory faces intense criticism from leading economists and politicians, who dismiss it as "voodoo economics," "crazy," and "a crackpot theory."

"FINDING THE MONEY" delves into the heated debate, tracing the origins of our current understanding of money and offering a fresh perspective that could inspire global change. By rethinking the story of money, this film brings new hope and empowers nations to address the critical challenges of the 21st century, from climate change to economic inequality.

Maren Poitras’s feature documentary debut FINDING THE MONEY premiered at Woodstock Film Festival in fall 2023, received the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the Green Film Festival of San Francisco, and has its European premiere at Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival. She is Associate Producer with Codebreaker Films on Enemies of the State (2020) and Reality Winner (2023). Originally from the California Bay Area, Poitras has a background in

environmental science and agriculture from UC Berkeley.