The Emperor's New Clothes (2015): Ratings, Box Office & Plot

This documentary blends archival footage from the 2008 financial crisis and the Great Recession with a series of comedic send-ups led by Russell Brand, filmed across the financial hubs of New York and London. The film seeks to examine the persistence of systemic inequality, questioning why so little has changed since the economic collapse.

One notable sequence involves Brand attempting to confront Lord Rothermere, the billionaire owner of the Daily Mail, regarding his “non-dom” tax status used to avoid UK taxes. While ringing the bell at Rothermere’s London mansion, Brand is informed via intercom that the billionaire does indeed reside there.

Director Ben Winterbottom explains the core motivation behind the project: