Summer Series – How Vulture Capitalists Demolished the American Dream

08/25/21 • 29 min

It's summertime in Sweden and Canada. The Filmmaker and the Advocate are taking a break, but the podcast isn't. For five weeks, Fredrik and Leilani bring their faithful fans and new listeners the PushBack Talks - Summer Series. These are curated podcasts from Season 2 - episodes you may have missed that are definitely worth a listen. We've pared them down, and updated each with recent news and a few personal reflections. So, whether you're stuck at home, or chilling on a beach - we hope you enjoy our Summer Series!
This is a special episode of PUSHBACK Talks to mark the opening of PUSH-the film in [virtual] theatres across the USA. For the first time, The filmmaker and The Advocate invite a guest into the conversation. This episode features Aaron Glantz, Peabody Award-winning investigative journalist, resident of San Francisco, and author of the recently released book, Homewreckers which details the devastating impact on millions of Americans when vulture capitalists entered the housing sector after the Global Financial Crisis. Nobel Laureate Prof. Stiglitz provides a jumping-off point for the trio to discuss the cosy relationship between government, banks and private equity that ensured those with money would come out winners, and those without would have their dreams demolished.
Fredrik and Leilani use this episode of PUSHBACK Talks is a wake-up call and a warning: the vultures are likely circling again, with 40 million people in the US who can’t pay their rent and nearly 4 million who can't pay their home mortgages.
Produced by WG Film
Recorded & Edited by Mikey Jones
Music by Florencia Di Concilio
Social Media & Support - Maja Moberg

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Summer Series – Danish Housing Minister Takes on Blackstone

It's summertime in Sweden and Canada. The Filmmaker and the Advocate are taking a break, but the podcast isn't. For five weeks, Fredrik and Leilani bring their faithful fans and new listeners the PushBack Talks - Summer Series. These are curated podcasts from Season 2 - episodes you may have missed that are definitely worth a listen. We've pared them down, and updated each with recent news and a few personal reflections. So, whether you're stuck at home, or chilling on a beach - we hope you enjoy our Summer Series!
The Filmmaker and the Advocate bring you an exclusive conversation with Denmark’s Housing Minister – Kaare Dybvad Bek – one of the few politicians in the world to have had the courage to take on Blackstone and other institutional investors. The Minister recounts the new housing reality in Copenhagen where private equity, pension funds and asset management firms have started to dominate, imposing on tenants huge rent increases (often double) and unnecessary renovations driving tenants out of their homes and neighbourhoods. Believing that ordinary people – nurses, teachers, bus drivers – should be able to live in the cities where they work, and racing against time to keep remaining affordable units out of the clutches of investors, the Minister took matters into his own hands. A Parliamentary Committee to analyze the situation was initiated, and despite considerable pressure successfully put forward ground-breaking legislation aimed at keeping big finance out of Copenhagen’s housing market. Known as ‘Lex Blackstone’, the legislation puts a 5-year ban on renovations and rent increases for new owners, and strengthens tenants rights. The legislation has had its intended results: fewer institutional investors and a significant decrease in property prices. Denmark’s legislation offers inspiration and stands as a model for advocates and politicians across the globe.
The podcast also brings back memories from the World Premiere of PUSH at the amazing CPH DOX film festival in Copenhagen. The film won the Politikken Audience Award and the issues in the film created a strong debate in Danish media.
Produced by WG Film
Recorded & Edited by Mikey Jones
Music by Florencia Di Concilio
Social Media & Support - Maja Moberg

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Election Fever – The Politics of Housing

Canada and Germany are having general elections later this month and the issue at the forefront of both is affordable housing. With growing movements around affordable housing in both countries, how are the parties’ housing platforms stacking up? The Filmmaker and the Advocate discuss the Berlin referendum that could have the government buying back property from large corporate landlords, before breaking down the housing platforms of Canada’s four major parties. In the last thirty years, the cost of housing has increased more in Canada than in any other OECD country. How have monetary and fiscal policy impacted the Canadian housing market and how do the party platforms miss the mark?
Produced by WG Film
Recorded & Edited by Mikey Jones
Music by Florencia Di Concilio
Social Media & Support - Maja Moberg

Support the show