It's Basic
World Premiere

It's Basic

Spotlight Documentary
Feature | United States | 77 MINUTES | English
Documentary

When 2020 presidential hopeful Andrew Yang proposed to give every American $1000 in monthly income, it helped bring the issue of Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) to national light. By then, several U.S. cities had already begun GBI pilot programs in which they provided $500 per month to a select group of people for one year. It’s Basic follows the progress of the program against a backdrop of widening income gaps, politics, and growing social concern. 


Director Marc Levin follows a variety of participants as they use their incentives in ways that quash the stereotype of poor people abusing “free money”. From a formerly homeless single mother of four barely getting by with an “essential job”, to a low-wage working couple with a child, to one particular GBI program designed for newly released prisoners. Levin also looks at the mayors who are behind the programs in their cities, and their commitment to educate and promote an idea whose past supporters ranged from Martin Luther King Jr. to Richard Nixon. With great intimacy and hopeful stories, It’s Basic tracks the gathering momentum toward a philosophy of lifting up those that are struggling to survive in the world’s richest country.––Brian Gordon


Cast & Credits
Directed by
Marc Levin
Director
Marc Levin
Producer
Michael Tubbs, Daphne Pinkerson, Auri Akerele, Elizabeth Sehring
Cinematographer
Allen Dobbins
Editor
John Maidman
Executive Producer
Michael Tubbs
Co-Producer
Aurielle Akerele
Coordinating Producer
Elizabeth Sehring
Original Music
Khari Mateen
Creative Consultant
Kim Miille

Contacts
Press Contact
Adam Segal
The 2050 Group
Bergenfield, NY 07621
Phone: 212 642 4317
adam@the2050group.com
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.

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