Where to Invade Next (2015) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A documentary exploring foreign social policies that could benefit the United States.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

European Labor Foundations

Moore begins his documentary journey by visiting Italy and France, examining progressive labor rights, paid holidays, and comprehensive school meal programs.

Key Events

• Global Policy Tour Introduction — Moore begins his journey to examine social policies abroad. Location: Various International Locations
• Italian Labor Rights Visit — Moore explores paid holidays, lunch breaks, and parental leave in Italy. Location: Italy
• French School Meals Analysis — Moore examines France's comprehensive school lunch programs and sex education. Location: France
• Finnish Education Policy Discussion — Moore interviews the Finnish Minister of Education about minimal homework and no standardized testing. Location: Finland
• Slovenian Higher Education Tour — Moore visits Slovenia to discuss tuition-free university education. Location: Slovenia
• German Labor & History Education — Moore visits Faber-Castell and discusses co-determination and honest history education. Location: Germany

Scandinavian & Southern Shifts

The narrative moves to Finland, Slovenia, Germany, and Portugal, highlighting tuition-free education, co-determination workplaces, and drug decriminalization reforms.

Key Events

• German Labor & History Education — Moore visits Faber-Castell and discusses co-determination and honest history education. Location: Germany
• Portuguese Drug Decriminalization — Moore examines Portugal's drug policy, universal healthcare, and abolition of the death penalty. Location: Portugal
• Norwegian Prison System Visit — Moore tours humane minimum and maximum security prisons in Norway. Location: Norway
• Tunisian Women's Rights Discussion — Moore discusses reproductive health, abortion access, and women's roles in the revolution. Location: Tunisia
• Icelandic Women in Power — Moore speaks with the first female president and covers the Best Party's mayoral win. Location: Iceland
• Icelandic Financial Crisis Prosecution — Moore investigates the criminal prosecution of bankers following the 2008-11 crisis. Location: Iceland

Nordic & North African Experiments

Moore tours Norwegian prisons, discusses Tunisian women's rights, and investigates Icelandic financial accountability and female political leadership.

Key Events

• Icelandic Financial Crisis Prosecution — Moore investigates the criminal prosecution of bankers following the 2008-11 crisis. Location: Iceland
• Berlin Wall Fall Reflection — Moore reflects on the fall of the Berlin Wall as a symbol of systemic change. Location: Germany
• US Policy Origins Revelation — Moore reveals that many admired foreign policies actually originated in the US. Location: United States
• Italian Executive Interviews — Moore conducts detailed interviews with Italian business leaders about worker benefits. Location: Italy
• French Educational Model Analysis — Moore analyzes the cultural impact of France's school meal and sex education systems. Location: France
• Finnish Classroom Observation — Moore observes Finland's approach to music, poetry, and lack of testing. Location: Finland

Historical Reflection & American Origins

The film concludes with reflections on the Berlin Wall, the Utøya attacks response, and the revelation that many admired foreign policies originated in the United States.

Key Events

• Finnish Classroom Observation — Moore observes Finland's approach to music, poetry, and lack of testing. Location: Finland
• Slovenian University Campus Tour — Moore tours the University of Ljubljana and discusses English-taught courses. Location: Slovenia
• German Factory & History Lesson — Moore visits a pencil factory and discusses Nazi history education. Location: Germany
• Portuguese Healthcare & May Day — Moore explores universal healthcare and the historical significance of May Day. Location: Portugal
• Norwegian Utøya Attacks Response — Moore examines Norway's societal response to the 2011 Utøya attacks. Location: Norway
• Tunisian Constitution Drafting — Moore concludes with the drafting of the 2014 Tunisian Constitution and women's inclusion. Location: Tunisia

Story Breakdown

• Italian Labor Reforms — Examination of progressive workplace benefits and executive interviews in Italy.
  • Paid Holidays & Breaks — Analysis of mandatory vacation time and extended lunch periods.
  • Executive Interviews — Discussions with Ducati and Lardini leaders about worker welfare.
• French Educational Models — Study of France's comprehensive school nutrition and health curricula.
  • School Lunch Programs — Overview of state-funded, high-quality student meal services.
  • Sex Education Curriculum — Review of early and comprehensive health education frameworks.
• Finnish Academic Policies — Investigation of Finland's low-stress, high-trust education system.
  • Minimal Homework Approach — Exploration of reduced academic workload and student well-being.
  • Minister of Education Interview — Dialogue with Krista Kiuru on standardized testing elimination.
• Slovenian Higher Education — Tour of Slovenia's tuition-free university access and leadership.
  • Tuition-Free University Access — Analysis of debt-free academic pathways for all citizens.
  • Presidential Policy Discussion — Interview with Borut Pahor on national educational investment.
• German Historical & Labor Systems — Review of workplace co-determination and honest historical education.
  • Co-determination Workplace Model — Study of employee representation in corporate governance.
  • Honest History Education — Examination of transparent teaching regarding Nazi Germany.
• Portuguese Social Reforms — Analysis of drug decriminalization and universal healthcare implementation.
  • Drug Decriminalization Impact — Review of public health outcomes from policy shifts.
  • Universal Healthcare System — Overview of accessible medical services and death penalty abolition.
• Norwegian Penal Philosophy — Investigation of humane prison architecture and societal recovery.
  • Humane Prison Architecture — Tour of Bastøy and Halden facilities focusing on rehabilitation.
  • Utøya Attacks Societal Response — Examination of national healing and policy adjustments post-tragedy.
• Tunisian Women's Rights — Exploration of gender equality, reproductive health, and political participation.
  • Reproductive Health Access — Analysis of abortion rights and healthcare availability.
  • Constitutional Drafting Role — Review of female contributions to the 2014 Tunisian Constitution.
• Icelandic Financial Accountability — Study of economic crisis aftermath and legal prosecution of bankers.
  • Banker Prosecution Process — Investigation into special prosecutor efforts and financial justice.
  • Female Political Leadership — Coverage of Vigdís Finnbogadóttir and Jón Gnarr's political impact.
• American Policy Origins — Reflection on historical US contributions to modern social reforms.
  • Historical Policy Exportation — Review of American origins for bans on cruel punishment and labor rights.
  • Concluding Documentary Reflection — Final synthesis of global policy comparisons and domestic potential.

Directed by

Michael Moore

Key Cast

• Michael Moore — Self
• Dr. Pasi Sahlberg — Self
• Krista Kiuru — Self
• Jón Gnarr — Self