THE BIG SCARY “S” WORD Documentary

Following the film, AFI Festivals Senior Programmer Ken Jacobson leads a conversation between filmmaker Yael Bridge and producer Morgan Spector.

Socialism… the big scary S word. From the Red Scare to today, being associated with the term has been considered a criminal offense, un-American, or, at the very least, political suicide. But is this really the case? THE BIG SCARY “S” WORD is an exploration of the largely ignored role played by socialism in the mainstream political history of the U.S., as well as its ongoing relationship to protest and social movements.

What are the origins of this ideology and how did its supporters help build this nation? Interviews with thought leaders, Lyft drivers, teachers, lawmakers and others offer a more nuanced and politically practicable understanding of socialism. Watching Yael Bridge’s timely and comprehensive film might leave you seeing that socialism is as American as apple pie — a pie that everyone deserves a slice of. –Eric Moore