The Hollywood Reporter’s Eric Monder reviews

Azadeh Ardakani of NYC’s Artists Beckoning 4  Change interviews Philippe Diaz: http://www.vimeo.com/7577651
Learn more about their work http://www.beckoningforchange.org/

Jennifer Merin of About.com reviews The End of Poverty? – “excellent.”

View it here: http://freespeech.org/video/grittv-got-docs-end-poverty-think-again

The Office of the Americas and Cinema Libre Studio are proud to present a special preview/benefit screening of THE END OF POVERTY? after premiering in New York to sold out audiences and before its Los Angeles theatrical run. This eye-opening documentary is a powerful analysis on why global poverty still exists and how our current economic system, since colonization, favors the wealthy and exploits the poor.

The film, narrated by Martin Sheen, has been accepted to over 25 international festivals and has received much critical acclaim.

Does a confrontational new documentary try to resurrect Marx for the 21st century? And is that such a bad idea?

It’s fitting that Philippe Diaz’s film The End of Poverty? ends in a question mark as he asks questions and explores the history and possibility of ending poverty rather than telling you anything definitive. The question mark also serves as a question to the audience about whether or not they want to do anything to help end it. And after seeing the film you definitely are prepared to make better choices in your own life when it comes to solving the problems that create the disparity between the rich and poor. It does a great job of starting at the root of the problem of poverty, working up to the present day and keeping things as complex as they can be in a two hour film.

Philippe Diaz didn’t set out to direct a Hollywood blockbuster with The End of Poverty? He intended to initiate a sober, serious dialogue and suggest a solution rather than merely present an immediate palliative. The film isn’t a visual refrain of “We Are the World,” projecting a simple but stirring message that excites audiences’ heartstrings with an emotive, escalating chorus and a promise of donated proceeds. The End of Poverty? prompts more disturbing emotions and requests greater sacrifices than purchasing a recording or ticket.

LOS ANGELES (November 2009) – In February, the World Bank issued a stunning report: the spreading global economic crisis is set to trap up to 53 million more people in poverty in developing countries bringing the total of those living on less than $2 a day to over 1.5 billion. This dynamic, where the rich are bailed out – or financed – by the poor is the focal point of a new documentary film which will premiere Friday, November 13 in New York City at the Village East Cinema, followed by a nationwide platform release.

Philippe Diaz: “I think that movies can help make the world a better place”

by indieWIRE (November 10, 2009)
In his new documentary “The End of Poverty,” filmmaker Philippe Diaz examines the root causes of global poverty and challenges the effectiveness our current economic system. The film opens in New York on November 13 and in Los Angeles on November 25. indieWIRE contacted Diaz via email to discuss the film and his career.
…Read the interview here