Friday, 27 February 2026 at 7 pm
Director: Fredrik Gertten
Sweden, Netherlands • 2023 • 93' • documentary
The film examines critical social turning points that lead people to organize and protest, such as the murder of an investigative journalist in Malta and the drying up of a river in Chile.
All societies are based on the idea of social contract. We are told that if we work hard, treat others with respect, and play by the rules, we will be rewarded. But then there are those who break the rules. Those who take advantage of tax havens and reap profits without giving anything back to society.
Breaking Social looks at global patterns of kleptocracy and extractivism. An assassinated investigative journalist in Malta. A river without water in Chile. When people reach a tipping point, they start to organise and protest. We will see those already fighting on the frontlines of social uprisings across the world. Fredrik Gertten explores the possibilities of overcoming injustice and corruption. A film about reimagining the building blocks of our societies and igniting the seeds of hope that live within each of us.
Festivals and awards:
CPH:DOX (IN COMPETITION FOR F:ACT AWARD) 2023 (world premiere); ONE WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL 2023; MILLENNIUM DOCS AGAINST GRAVITY 2023; DOK.FEST MUNICH 2023; SHEFFIELD DOC/FEST 2023; CINEMAMBIENTE 2023 – Winner of the ‘ENVIRONMENT & SOCIETY’ award; DOKUFEST PRIZREN 2023; LEMESOS INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL 2023; FESTIVAL DE CINEMA SVEDESE A VILLA SAN MICHELE 2023; LOVE & ANARCHY HELSINKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2023; BERGEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2023; DOCSMX 2023; BIFED 2O23, WINNER OF FETHI KAYAALP GRAND AWARD; HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL BERLIN 2023; FREE ZONE FILM FESTIVAL 2023; SUNCINE: BARCELONA; INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL 2023; IDFA 2023; FIPADOC 2024; GUATEMALA HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL 2024; BUDAPEST SPRING FESTIVAL 2024