Educational Media Reviews Online

This documentary is about the life and work of Amartya Sen, who was the 1998 Nobel Laureate in Economics and is the first Asian to win this honor since its inception in 1969. This carefully organized, well-edited film examines the assumptions underlying Sen’s Social Choice Theory which won him the Nobel. A conversation between Sen and Professor Kaushik Basu, a student of Sen and a fellow economist, is the framework for the film. Commentary from renowned scholars and politicians and other Nobel Laureates like Kenneth Arrow (Nobel Prize in Economics 1972), Professor of History Sugata Bose, Professor of Philosophy Timothy Scanlon, and Former Finance Minister of India Manmohan Singh add authority and detail to Sen’s accomplishments. Brief footage from Sen’s birthplace in India, his college in Calcutta, a lecture he gave at Cornell, and his current home at the Masters Lodge in Cambridge adds background, color, and interest to the portrayal of Sen.

The audio and video quality is exceptionally good, and the pictures and interviews clearly convey and contribute to the film’s objectives. Because Sen is considered to be one of the most preeminent social thinkers of our time, this film explains the essence of his contributions and the social and personal context from which he developed them. Students, faculty, and researchers in all areas of the social sciences will enjoy and learn from this thought-provoking video. Academic and public libraries will want to add to their collections.