The Multicultural Center is screening an award-winning documentary from the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at the Beach Auditorium today.
The film, “Inequality for All,” explores income inequality and problems of wealth distribution in the U.S.
In addition, the film delves into the personal stories of underprivileged individuals and illustrates how they have been impacted by today’s economy, said James Sauceda, director of CSULB’s Multicultural Center.
Directed by award-winning writer and director Jacob Kornbluth the documentary won a U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Achievement in Filmmaking at Sundance.
Robert Reich stars in the film and is also a chancellor’s professor at University of California, Berkeley, where he teaches about wealth and poverty to a class of 700 students.
“I have never seen 700 students more attentive,” Sauceda said. “He has a very engaging way of just being very accessible and yet knowledgeable.”
Reich, who served under former Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter and was also the U.S. Secretary of Labor for the Clinton administration, will host a live 30-minute webcast at the end of the screening. Students will not be able to directly ask Reich questions.
Sauceda said the film is particularly important for students to watch because Reich has been conducting research for the film for several decades.
“Students [will] see more than a snapshot, in fact, a longitudinal view of America’s economy from 1913 to the present,” he said.
Sauceda said it is important for people to know that higher education is crucial for moving up the income ladder, especially in the 21st century.
“[The film is] worth seeing on many levels,” Sauceda said. “You’ll think about things differently, but [the film’s] open-ended. It lets you think.”
Other schools, colleges and libraries will also screen the film today, according to the film’s website.
“Inequality for All” will be shown from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Beach Auditorium today.
