The Divide (2015)
A documentary that puts a human face on economic inequality, following seven lives shaped by the widening gap between rich and poor in the US and UK.
The Divide - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Divide
- Release Year: 2015
- Directed by: Katharine Round
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 1h 18m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 22, 2016 (United Kingdom)
- Alternative Titles: Security, Insecurity and the Future of the West (US), The Spirit Level (UK)
- Production Countries: United States of America, United Kingdom
The Divide - Plot
The Divide tells the story of 7 individuals striving for a better life in modern day US and UK - where the top 0.1% owns as much wealth as the bottom 90%. By plotting these tales together, we uncover how virtually every aspect of our lives is controlled by one factor: the size of the gap between rich and poor. The film is inspired by "The Spirit Level" by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett.
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The Divide - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Katharine Round
Main Cast
- Noam Chomsky
- Max Hastings
- Richard G. Wilkinson
- Robert Frank
- Kwame Anthony Appiah
- Michael Marmot
- Richard Benjamin
- Janet Sparks
- Leah Taylor
- Ha-Joon Chang
Producers
- Katharine Round
The Divide - FAQs
Where can you stream The Divide documentary?
The Divide is available to stream for free on Tubi TV, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, JustWatch TV, and Fawesome. It is also available on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads, and can be rented or purchased through Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, and DocAlliance Films.
What is The Divide (2015) documentary about?
The Divide follows seven individuals navigating life in the modern US and UK, where the top 0.1% holds as much wealth as the bottom 90%. By weaving their personal stories together, the film reveals how economic inequality shapes health, social mobility, and daily life. It is inspired by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett's book The Spirit Level.
Is The Divide based on a true story or book?
Yes. The Divide is directly inspired by The Spirit Level, the acclaimed 2009 book by epidemiologists Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, which argues that greater income inequality leads to worse social outcomes across society. The documentary translates the book's research into human stories drawn from real individuals in the US and UK.
Who directed The Divide (2015)?
The Divide was directed by Katharine Round, a British filmmaker. It is notable as a woman-directed documentary tackling economic inequality and globalization, and it marks one of Round's most prominent feature-length works, produced alongside her role as the film's producer.
Who appears in The Divide documentary?
The documentary features a wide range of voices, including linguist and political thinker Noam Chomsky, journalist Max Hastings, epidemiologist Richard G. Wilkinson, economist Ha-Joon Chang, philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah, and public health expert Michael Marmot, alongside everyday individuals such as Janet Sparks and Leah Taylor.
When was The Divide released?
The Divide had its UK theatrical release on April 22, 2016. The film was produced in 2015 and is also known under the alternative titles Security, Insecurity and the Future of the West in the US and The Spirit Level in the UK.
How long is The Divide documentary?
The Divide has a runtime of 78 minutes, making it a focused and accessible feature-length documentary. Its relatively compact running time allows it to present complex ideas about economic inequality through personal narratives without becoming overwhelming for general audiences.
How was The Divide received by critics?
The Divide was praised for making the abstract subject of economic inequality emotionally immediate through its human-centered storytelling approach. Critics highlighted Katharine Round's skill in translating dense academic research from The Spirit Level into compelling personal narratives, making the film both thought-provoking and accessible to general audiences.
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