Breakpoint: A Counter History of Progress

Breakpoint: A Counter History of Progress is a documentary that examines the last two hundred years of the Anthropocene. Using global archive footage, the film explores how rapid human advancement from the industrial revolution to the era of big data has been driven by war and the ambitions of industrial and political leaders. It focuses on the conflict between this progress and the resulting environmental destruction, noting how the pursuit of wealth and resources has harmed the planet and marginalized the poor.

The film was directed by Jean-Robert Viallet, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Christophe Bonneuil and Jean-Baptiste Fressoz. This was the first of two films directed by Viallet, followed by Stups in 2025. Produced by companies including RTBF, ARTE, RTS, and Stenola Productions, the project features Jacques Bonnaffé as the narrator. The production utilized archival footage of historical figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Woodrow Wilson, Adolf Hitler, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Van Heflin.

Since its release in 2019, the film has received positive feedback from viewers. It holds a rating of 7.9/10 on IMDb based on 168 votes and a 7.7/10 on TMDB from 24 votes.