Inside Job (2010 film)

Inside Job is a 2010 American documentary film, directed by Charles Ferguson, about the late-2000s financial crisis. The film is divided into five parts, each focusing on different aspects and actors involved in the crisis.

• Part I: How We Got Here examines the deregulation of the financial industry starting in the 1980s, focusing on the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act and the rise of complex financial instruments like derivatives. It highlights the influence of the academic community, funded by the financial industry, in promoting deregulation.

• Part II: The Bubble explores the housing bubble, the role of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), and the predatory lending practices that fueled the crisis. It reveals how rating agencies assigned high ratings to these risky assets, ignoring the underlying risks.

• Part III: The Crisis details the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the bailout of AIG and other financial institutions, and the ensuing global financial crisis. It exposes the conflicts of interest and ethical lapses that contributed to the near-collapse of the financial system.

• Part IV: Accountability investigates the lack of criminal prosecutions of individuals and firms responsible for the crisis. It questions why key figures in the financial industry were not held accountable for their actions.

• Part V: Where We Are Now assesses the reforms enacted after the crisis and argues that they are insufficient to prevent future crises. It points to the continued influence of the financial industry in politics and the ongoing risks in the financial system.

The film features interviews with economists, financial industry insiders, government officials, and journalists. Inside Job won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2011. It is noted for its critical examination of the financial industry, its portrayal of conflicts of interest, and its argument that the crisis was largely preventable.