Best known for “Super Size Me,” filmmaker Morgan Spurlock filmed a segment of his latest documentary “Freakonomics” in Washington.
He talked to Yeas & Nays about the project in advance of its Friday opening at the Landmark E Street Cinema.
“I think that the one thing I’ve really tried to do is really turn data and information into things that are engaging and easily understandable,” Spurlock said. “I’m a big fan of causality and trying to explain to people why things happen.”
For the movie, in which six filmmakers split up the chapters of the popular 2005 book, Spurlock looked at whether names mattered. For example, if a girl is named Temptress, will she grow up to be a, well, temptress. The segment also examines whether those with more ethnic names have a harder time finding a job.
“Ultimately the conclusion is, names do have an impact, we live in a society where people are incredibly judgmental,” Spurlock told Yeas & Nays.
Spurlock was joined by filmmakers Alex Gibney, Rachel Grady, Heidi Ewing, Seth Gordon and Eugene Jarecki on the project.
