The Big Sell-Out by Florian Opitz

The Big Sell-Out shows us the negative aspects of privatisation processes happening all over the world – from Bolivia and South Africa to Great Britain. No matter what is ‘sold-out’ – the railways, electricity, health clinics or even water – there is always a price to be paid for it, always a sacrifice. Such as those who are left to live in the dark in South Africa or the victims of a railway catastrophe in suburban London.

Director Florian Opitz has made a huge work trying to find out why so many people have to suffer whilst all they ask for are essential needs. Does anybody in the world have a right to privatise water ? Even the rain ? Trying to find an answer to these questions, Opitz discovers the truth from a British train driver. Simon Weller says it like it is – that privatisation is based on selling-out to people the things they already had. Another of the film’s heroes, the Robin Hood-like Bongani, who brings the people of South Africa faith and light by reconnecting their electricity supply, says that all this privatisation is only about profit.

The private companies have found a way to make people live in fear of the loss basic necessities, and the only chance to change this situation is to fight. How ? This film shows the ways.

Hanna Mironenko