To Catch a Dollar

To Catch a Dollar is a 2010 documentary film which tells the story of the Grameen Bank and its founder, Muhammad Yunus. Directed by Gayle Ferraro, the film chronicles Yunus' mission to bring financial stability to impoverished women in Bangladesh and follows him as he tries to do the same in Queens, New York.

The film opens with a montage of bustling streets and markets in Bangladesh, before transitioning to an interview with Yunus himself. He describes the inspiration for his microfinance model, which involves lending small amounts of money to women who would otherwise have no access to credit. Yunus believed that empowering women through entrepreneurship was the key to ending poverty in his country.

Through interviews with borrowers, the film shows the impact that the Grameen Bank has had on their lives. One woman describes how she was able to start a successful chicken farm with her loan, while another explains how she used the money to send her children to school. The loans are not without risk, however, and several women describe the pressure they feel to repay the bank, sometimes at great personal cost.

To Catch a Dollar then shifts its focus to Queens, New York, where Yunus has partnered with the local community to establish a Grameen Bank branch. The film follows several women as they apply for and receive loans, highlighting the challenges that they face as immigrants and as women trying to navigate a new financial system.

In addition to the individual stories, the film explores the larger socioeconomic context that shapes the experiences of the women involved. Interviews with economists and experts in the field of microfinance provide insight into the impact that poverty and inequality have on communities, both in Bangladesh and in the United States.

Throughout the film, Yunus emerges as a charismatic and passionate advocate for economic justice. His vision of a world where everyone has access to basic financial services is both inspiring and pragmatic. He acknowledges the limitations of his model, but also emphasizes the power of small-scale change to make a difference in people's lives.

The tone of the film is generally upbeat, even when addressing serious issues such as domestic violence and financial exploitation. The women featured in the film are portrayed as resilient and determined, pushing back against the obstacles in their path. The film also features music by Bangladeshi artist Anjan Dutt, adding a lively and colorful touch to the backdrop of urban poverty.

In terms of structure, To Catch a Dollar follows a fairly standard documentary format, interspersing interviews with footage of daily life and scenes of borrowers interacting with loan officers. While the film could have benefited from a more structured narrative arc, it succeeds in highlighting the personal stories of those impacted by the Grameen Bank.

In conclusion, To Catch a Dollar is a powerful and inspiring documentary about the transformative power of microfinance. Through the stories of the women involved, the film shows the potential for economic empowerment to break the cycle of poverty and create sustainable change. Yunus' vision of a world where everyone has access to basic financial services resonates with an audience beyond the documentary, making this film a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about economic justice.