Better Angels 2018

BETTER ANGELS is a theatrical documentary crafted by two-time Academy Award®-winner Malcolm Clarke, alongside producers William Mundell and Yi Han. This insightful film delves into the intricate and often tumultuous relationship between the world’s two leading superpowers, the United States and China. Through its unyielding lens, it highlights the critical need for these nations to engage in collaborative and mutually beneficial interactions for the sake of global stability, both economically and politically.

The documentary showcases poignant narratives from American and Chinese citizens—spanning across regions such as Alabama and Shanghai, as well as Iowa and Beijing—whose lives are intricately woven together in unexpected ways. As former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright wisely states, diplomacy resembles a game of billiards: > “Somebody thinks they’re going to hit the ball and make it go into a pocket across the table. What it does instead is hit a lot of other balls along the way.”

Produced over five years, BETTER ANGELS resonates deeply with current events as the escalating economic and diplomatic tensions between Washington and Beijing dominate headlines on a near-daily basis. The film’s urgent message advocates for a more rational and less confrontational approach to bilateral relations, an imperative that becomes increasingly important in today’s world.

By exploring the lives of everyday citizens in both nations, the filmmakers gradually illuminate a pathway toward mutual respect while striving to circumvent the growing anxiety surrounding potential conflict. Given that the fate of billions could hinge on a single tweet or retaliatory measure, BETTER ANGELS seeks to address a crucial question: As we ponder the prospect of a new cold war marked by isolationism and hostilities, is it still possible to surmount our economic rivalries and ideological divides in pursuit of security, respect, and growth for both sides?