KULA invites you to come to the movies together.

WHY?

Stories are a beautiful way to start discussions, change our perceptions, and take us out of our sometimes ridged ways of thinking. We came across the partnership manager of IDFA and she shared a curated selection with us. This documentary feels like a topic that brings our innovative ways of thinking for a better, more inclusive world alive something that is in line with KULA’s values.

ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY

When universal basic income (UBI) comes to the Kenyan village of Kogutu, lives are forever changed. GiveDirectly, one of the fastest growing nonprofits of the 21st century, is sending free money for twelve years as part of the world's largest UBI experiment. Filmmakers Lauren DeFilippo and Sam Soko juxtapose the story of these young economists, bankrolled by Silicon Valley and convinced that they have found an infallible algorithm to end world poverty, with portraits of local Kenyans whose lives are being dramatically impacted for better and for worse. UBI is at the forefront of political debate like never before, thanks to Andrew Yang's presidential candidacy, covid stimulus packages, and trials underway around the world. This documentary is a fascinating case study of life in a village-turned-petri-dish from the perspective of those living out this revolutionary idea.

Free Money follows an experiment funded by the charity GiveDirectly in which residents of the Kenyan village of Kogutu over the age of 18 can opt to receive a universal basic income of $22 per month for the test period of 12 years. The documentary tracks the initial enrollment in the program and follows the impact it has on a number of families in the village and the community at large. The film explores perspectives from skeptics and supporters alike, providing a balanced perspective of the experiment, which will conclude in 2031.