Floored

Floored is a riveting 2009 documentary film featuring stock exchange veterans Bobby Ansani, Jeff Ansani, and Ron Beebe. But this isn't your typical tale of Wall Street brokers coining it in colossal glass towers. This film is set in the gritty, testosterone-charged world of the Chicago trading floors, where fortunes can be made or lost in mere minutes. The film is a brutally honest exposition of the volatile and oftentimes vicious world of futures trading, chronicling the dramatic transformation of Chicago’s trading floors from the raucous human outcry system to the hushed hum of computers and algorithms.

Directed by the incredibly talented James Allen Smith, Floored features close-up personal interviews, fast-paced footage of the trading floor, and an intricate exploration of the chaos and adrenaline of this high-stakes profession. Smith captures the brutal essence of the game, where still surviving old-school, open outcry floor traders must make the hard choice of adapting to the rapidly evolving world of electronic trading or risk being completely phased out.

The documentary follows the tumultuous trading lives of several Chicago floor traders and how they have evolved over the years. Bobby Ansani, Jeff Ansani, and Ron Beebe give us unprecedented access to their lives, drawing us into the whirlwind of futures trading by sharing personal stories that range from early triumphs and colossal failures to the gut-wrenching fear of financial ruin and intense euphoria of gigantic windfalls.

Bobby Ansani embodies the spirit of the traditional trader. He is charismatic and sure of himself, with homes in two states and kids in private schools. But even he admits that his days could be numbered. Jeff Ansani, on the other hand, is portrayed as the guy that futures trading chewed up and spat out—his days of thousand-dollar lunches have been replaced by sparse meals. Ron Beebe, probably the most philosophical of the three, sees trading for what it is: a high stakes gamble. Over the years, he has developed a zen-like approach towards trading, treating success and failure as two sides of the same coin.

The film also delves into the psychology of trading, exploring the gamblers' mindset that traders often fall into. It examines the interpersonal dynamics of the floor, where physical fights and loud shouting matches are just as common as jubilant high-fives and fierce competition.

Arguably, the most striking aspect of Floored is its depiction of the existential threat faced by floor traders from technology. As electronic trading started to gain traction in the early 2000s, many floor traders found their tried and tested skills becoming increasingly obsolete. The film dramatises this dramatic shift as it explores the impact of computerised trading algorithms. There's a palpable sense of nostalgia for the raucous, chaotic world of pit trading as traders long for the 'good old days,' all the while knowing they can never return.

However, what sets Floored apart is that it's not just about the transformation of trading or the imminent eradication of the open outcry trading system. At its heart, Floored is about change, resilience, and adaptation. It's about hardworking individuals navigating their way through an inevitably transforming world, with some managing to stay afloat while others sink.

Floored offers a raw, unfiltered look at the hectic world of financial trading, giving audiences a front-row seat to the frantic energy of the trading floor and the lives of those who inhabit it. It’s a compelling narrative of wealth, fear, and the relentless struggle for success.

Whether you're an experienced trader, a Wall Street enthusiast, or an average movie-goer searching for a fascinating documentary, Floored offers an in-depth look into the complexities and rollercoaster-like nature of the futures trading world, bridging the gulf between financial news reports and the gritty reality of the trading floor. This film is a must-watch for anyone captivated by high-stakes environments, the progress of technology, and, most significantly, the human story behind the numbers.