DOC Night Out: Debt Trap - Doors open @ 6:30pm // Screening @7pm

DOC Night Out: Debt Trap

Join us on July 5th for a screening of Debt Trap, directed by DOC Toronto Member David Adkin. The documentary explores what it means to feel maxed out--smothered by a growing burden of credit card payments, loans, mortgages and other debts.

David Adkin and the film's producer Howard Fraiberg will be in attendance, and will participate in a discussion moderated by fellow filmmaker Maureen Judge.

About Debt Trap

The average Canadian is shouldering a personal debt load greater than their total yearly net income. Never before in history have so many people been in so much debt to large corporations, and our debt load is mounting daily. “We are living from paycheque to paycheque,” describes one credit counselor, “People are living on borrowed money, and its scary.”

Debt Trap examines why the average Canadian is sinking deeper in hock, by looking at the stories of several individuals and families who are struggling with debt. Jennifer and Somxay, both recent graduates, are maxed out with credit cards. Joel and Melany are house poor, despite the fact that their salaries total in the six figures. Rich is approaching retirement with $150,000 in personal debt. Dominic and Pauline have turned to credit cards and credit lines to survive after Dominic was laid off from his job. Denise is trying to finish a PhD degree while facing the prospect of paying back $100,000 in student loans. And Shawn and Cheryl are trapped in a cycle of payday loan debt, in which lenders are charging as much as 3000% interest.

Debt Trap looks beyond blaming individual consumers, to examine the roles of lending institutions, the corporate sector, and governments in understanding the current debt crisis and what we can do to correct it. The film includes analysis from a wide variety of experts including a banking executive, a credit counselor, an author who has written on the topic, an economist from a Canadian thinktank, a student federation leader, and a community activist.
As the recent global debt impacts on Canadians, the questions raised by DEBT TRAP couldn’t be more timely. Sobering, ironic, and enlightening, the film probes the reasons why more and more of us are struggling to keep afloat, and what needs to be done to turn this trend around.

About Director David Adkin

David Adkin studied music and theatre in Saskatoon before moving to Toronto to complete a BFA in Creative Writing and a MFA in Film (Screenwriting and Production) at York University.  His first short film The Salesman (1986), a black comedy about consumerism, was shown widely on CBC and Canadian pay television.  Since 1986, Adkin has been actively involved in the Toronto filmmaking scene as a director, producer, writer, editor, and researcher.  He has served on the board of the Canadian Independent Film Caucus (Toronto Chapter) and the Blue Ribbon Jury for Hot Docs.  His films encompass issues of social justice, human rights, history, media, the arts, and many other subjects.

In addition to Debt Trap, Adkin’s most recent documentary directing and editing credits include Home Safe Hamilton (2010, co-produced and directed with Laura Sky); the acclaimed documentary series' Little Miracles, Med Students, and A Scattering of Seeds: The Creation of Canada; and We're Funny That Way (1998).

Since 2008, Adkin has worked as a co-producer, director, editor and Program Manager for SkyWorks Charitable Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to using documentary as a community development tool. In his current role as SkyWorks’ Community Development Coordinator, Adkin is developing a new programming stream to train and engage youth to make their own films for social change.

About DOC Night Out

DOC Night Out is a casual monthly screening series and meet up for DOC Toronto Members and Non-Members alike. An amalgamation of our past programs’ “DOC Salon”,  “Rough Cuts” and our informal monthly pub gatherings, this screening series offers DOC Toronto members the opportunity to screen and discuss their work with their peers. Whether it’s something that needs to be workshopped before locking picture, a pressing social-issue doc, or a great film that’s just begging to be pulled off the shelf, DOC Night Out provides a casual and open social space to talk about our work!

DOC Night Out is hosted at Camera Bar, Toronto's premier lounge, screening room, gallery venue, and Gold Sponsor of DOC Toronto. Members of our organization receive discounted rates on theatre rentals - contact allie@doctoronto.ca for details.

Interested in submitting your film to DOC Night Out? Find out how.