ZIP code 90291 is one of the most prosperous neighborhoods in America. Despite this, Venice Beach has a huge wealth inequality problem. Its face is homeless encampments, despised by the richest residents, most imports from other parts of the country living in multi-million dollar custom homes built in the last decade.
Unzipped dives deep into the issues surrounding homelessness, talking to many people facing homelessness and the lawmakers who seek to help them. One lawmaker’s comment stuck out to me: “We’ve underestimated the force of poverty.”
If there’s one line in the documentary which sums up Unzipped’s message, it is this: Poverty is a force in the lives of all those living around the poverty line. This documentary dives deep into that force, showing that a refusal to address homelessness is a societal failure, not that of the individual.
Of Unzipped, Colin Gray had this to say: “We wanted to humanize the abstract statistics and divisive rhetoric about systemic inequality and America's escalating affordable housing crisis.” In this aspect, the documentary is a complete success. The documentary style and pacing are terrific, delivering facts and experience with punchy segments which are never repetitious.
Unzipped taps into many aspects that have made Venice Beach a cultural force nationally including the surf and counterculture scenes of the 60s and 70s and its long-standing accolade as a hub of artistic expression.
The documentary also dives deep into the history of racism and classism which marred the community long before the tech-money gentrifiers came to take advantage of low property values in the 90s. Anyone studying American racism or wealth inequality will want to see this outstanding documentary. Highly Recommended.
Where does this title belong on library shelves?
Unzipped belongs on social justice, urban development, and art documentary shelves.
What type of college courses could use this title?
Professors of sociology, criminal justice, public policy, and art will find the greatest use in Unzipped.
What is the retail price and/or Public Performance License fee?
Limited PPR included with the purchase of film
K-12 Classroom, Public Libraries DVD: $89
K-12 DVD + Digital File: $139
Colleges & Institutions DVD: $345
Colleges - DVD with Digital Site License: $495