Jed Riffe Films

A Dangerous Idea

“A DANGEROUS IDEA is extremely timely because with the current administration we are seeing a renewed threat of a biologically determined politics.”

Robert Reich, Author, Former U.S. Secretary of Labor

    A dangerous idea has threatened the American Dream from the beginning – the belief that some groups and individuals are inherently superior to others and more deserving of fundamental rights. Such biological determinism provided an excuse for some of America’s most shameful history. And now it’s back.

    The documentary A DANGEROUS IDEA reveals how biologically determined politics has disenfranchised women and people of color, provided a rationale for state sanctioned crimes committed against America’s most vulnerable citizens, and now gains new traction under the Trump administration.

“You have these people who … just seemed to have missed the whole point of the country. And they actually think that the founding reality of profound inequality is fine with them. And that view even tries to masquerade as science.”

Van Jones, Activist, Commentator, Author and Non-Practicing Attorney

    This film is a radical reassessment of gene science, which has been used, abused and misconstrued to violate the civil rights of untold millions.

    Featuring interviews with social thinkers such as Van Jones and Robert Reich, as well as prominent scientists, A DANGEROUS IDEA is a radical reassessment of the meaning, use and misuse of gene science. Like no other film before it, this documentary brings to light how false scientific claims have rolled back long fought for gains in equality, and how powerful interests are poised once again to use the gene myth to unravel the American Dream.

“In this time of false facts and backlash against a new equality, A DANGEROUS IDEA should be required viewing.”

Gloria Steinem, Lecturer, Political Activist

Release date: 2016 Director: Stephanie Welch Producer: Stephanie Welch, Jed Riffe Executive Producers: Mary R. Morgan, Andrew Kimbrell Editor: Maureen Gosling, Sara Maamouri, Stephanie Welch

Winner Best Documentary Santa Fe Film Festival Winner Best Feature Film Ogeechee International History Film Festival