Laissez-faire

Laissez-faire is an Italian historical documentary that examines the development and impact of neoliberalism. The film explores how this ideology has shaped the logic and rhetoric of Western societies over the last 250 years, specifically focusing on its return to prominence in the final three decades of the twentieth century. Through the accounts of six informed individuals, the narrative analyzes how these economic mechanisms influence modern government decisions and daily life, often benefiting elite groups over the general population.

The film was directed by Ruggero Arenella, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Riccardo Donat-Cattin. Produced by Vox Populi, the project features a cast of 68 credited participants. Much of the film relies on archive footage of influential political and economic figures, including Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Salvador Allende, Milton Friedman, John Maynard Keynes, and John Perkins. Released in 2015 with a runtime of 80 minutes, the documentary has been received positively by its viewers, maintaining a rating of 8.6/10 on IMDb based on 21 votes.