“The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism” published by Penguin Random House, has a film companion (documentary) that has screened at multiple film festivals and is now available on VOD and digital platforms. Directed by Peter Hutchison & Lucas Sabean, it is written by George Monbiot & Peter Hutchison. The press announcement includes the statement “the eye-opening and urgent documentary” and after viewing the film, it is not just hype, it is very eye-opening, especially if anyone has not read the source material for the documentary. Hutchison and Sabean partnered with investigative journalist, George Monbiot, who narrates the film. This is very informative.
Monbiot asks the crucial question: “Neoliberalism: do you know what it is?” as he is seated in front of the camera for 75 minutes. He begins to talk about what was started in Portugal on an island not to far from there. As Monbiot speaks, there are graphics and more providing a visual representation that keeps the viewer engaged as “The Invisible Doctrine deconstructs the roots, secretive propagation and deep impact of a doctrine that has played a profound role in transforming our economics, politics, environment, and even how we’ve come to view ourselves – converting us from citizens into consumers in the process.”
One of my favorite statements from Monbiot is when he talks about “capitalism on steroids” and the effect on our lives, the preservation of it and “earth, as we know it.”
The film is produced by the directors Hutchison (“Requiem for the American Dream”, “The Cure for Hate”) and Lucas Sabean (“Devil Put the Coal in the Ground”, “The Man Card”), and features the iconic music of Peter Gabriel. The following quotes included in the press release: “The current crises of democracy, economic inequality, the deconstruction of the administrative state, the collapse of the earth’s systems – behind it all lies the ubiquitous presence of neoliberalism”, said Hutchison. “We’ve all heard the term, yet many of us still struggle to put words to what it actually is – let alone fully appreciate how it has come to control our lives. It is only by shedding light on this often-invisible doctrine that we can begin to imagine what it might look like to reclaim our future.”
“If you want to understand why democracy feels like it’s breaking — start here”, said Sabean. “Our film is the red pill for our economic reality — an exposé that shows how the world we live in was engineered behind closed doors. The film doesn’t just explain neoliberalism — it reveals how the stories we were fed about freedom and prosperity have quietly rewritten the rules of our lives. By exposing the invisible, The Invisible Doctrine gives us permission to imagine again — not just a different economy, but a more humane future.”
The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism was screened at the Sedona International Film Festival, the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival, Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, and Mooov Film Festival. The California Premiere of the film was held at DocLands in early May and is now available on VOD, digital platforms. USA/UK 2025
Source: Eat the Moon Films, Journeyman Pictures
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