
The documentary "Free Money" examines a universal basic income (UBI) experiment in a Kenyan village, where residents receive monthly cash payments for 12 years. The film explores the diverse perspectives of villagers, including their optimism, gratitude, skepticism, and confusion about the experiment's impact. It highlights cultural tensions between traditional and modern aspirations, dependency and self-sufficiency, and community versus individualism. The documentary also delves into the broader ethical implications of foreign aid and the power dynamics between donors and recipients. It presents contrasting views on UBI from various NGOs and philanthropists, with some supporting the direct cash transfer model and others expressing concerns about its simplicity, sustainability, and potential impact on local economies. The film explores the ethical considerations of using a vulnerable population as a test case for a social policy, as well as the debate between traditional and new models of philanthropy.
Link to the documentary's trailer: https://youtu.be/c8XnbHrqAoY