The Emperor’s New Clothes

Michael Winterbottom, the acclaimed director known for films like 24 Hour Party People, The Road to Guantanamo, and The Trip, collaborates with actor, comedian, and provocateur Russell Brand to tackle the global financial crisis in an unexpectedly humorous documentary. This film builds on Brand’s rise as an activist, following his 2014 book Revolution, where he criticized “corporate tyranny, ecological irresponsibility, and economic inequality.” The Emperor’s New Clothes combines archival footage with comedic sketches set in the financial hubs of London and New York. Brand highlights not only the impact of the crisis on the global working class but also how the ultra-wealthy profited from the economic downturn. With Winterbottom’s trademark creativity and precise direction, they create an engaging, lively, and occasionally cathartic exploration of the stark inequalities between the rich and the poor in today’s world.