Zeitgeist: Addendum

Dir: Peter Joseph

2008

*****

Peter Joseph's 2007 Zeitgeist: The Movie went straight to the jugular and questioned the truth about religion, 9/11 and the world banks and suggested how all three are connected. No matter which side of the debate you lean towards, you have to give Joseph credit for always listing his sources and providing and accessible comprehensive companion guide. Indeed, when you break each component down, everything discussed is factual rather than analytical. It is impossible to say he is wrong when you can't prove God exists, 9/11 raises many unanswered questions and the banking scandals aren't disputed, even by the banks themselves. Zeitgeist: Addendum is exactly what it says it is, an extension of the first film, a more in-depth exploration of the issues already raised but concentrating on our monetary system, the suggested source of all these problems. Money makes the world go round, money is the route of all evil, the debate is as old as currency itself. Joseph breaks down the monetary system in a basic and easy to follow manner interviewing various different world economists. Again, all is factual rather than analytical although the first film had it's fair share of criticism, but then of course it did, said criticism came from the media that we all know is controlled (not conspiracy theory people, this is fact). It's far from a perfect documentary, I believe in most of what it suggests but it is a little manipulative and a small percentage of what it shows is dubious. I will say however that the alternative view is far more manipulative and dubious, to argue that Zeitgeist/Joseph is purely an exercise in propaganda is hilariously hypocritical. Zeitgeist/Joseph bases his argument on history, social and economical patterns and common sense. I don't find anything about the documentary wild of unbelievable. It could however, do without the unhelpful and rather awful staged sequences that involve eyeballs and businessmen reaching epiphanies in the middle of Times Square. Not perfect but interesting, positive, intelligent and enlightening. My kind of thing.