Charles Ferguson · 2010 · global

Charles Ferguson's Oscar-winning documentary traces the 2008 global financial crisis across the world's money centres, beginning with the collapse of newly deregulated Iceland and following the wreckage through Wall Street, Washington and on to the financial capitals of Europe and Asia.

1. 1
   Reykjavik

   The film opens in Iceland, a small nation that embraced American-style banking and deregulation, then watched its economy implode.

2. 2
   New York

   On Wall Street the giant investment banks built the toxic mortgage machine at the heart of the collapse.

3. 3
   Washington

   In the capital the film exposes the revolving door between the banks, the regulators and the academics who cleared their path.

4. 4
   London

   In the lightly policed City of London the same reckless instruments helped spread the contagion.

5. 5
   Paris

   French financiers and officials weigh the damage and the global scramble for reform.

6. 6
   Singapore

   In Asia's trading hubs the shockwaves ripple outward across the world economy.

7. 7
   Shanghai

   The trail reaches China, where a crisis born in America is felt at the far end of the earth.