Why is the life of a fire-fighter who died a hero in the Twin Towers on September 11 worth on average a million euros less than that of a stockbroker who lost his life in the same disaster? How much money should oil giant BP pay the countless fishermen on the Gulf of Mexico who are fighting for their livelihoods in the wake of the largest oil spill in history? How can hundreds of ailing Vietnam vets be compensated for their suffering, which stems from exposure to Agent Orange? These are questions that almost appear cynical, but not for America's most famous compensation specialist: Ken Feinberg.
Shortly after the terror attacks on September 11th 2001, the US Congress created a fund to compensate all victims who agreed not to go to court. ONE man was appointed to have sole responsibility for deciding how much compensation was to be received by people according to their individual circumstances: Ken Feinberg. He had offered to meet all victims or their families personally. However, his calculation model caused uproar among many of them who felt that the value of their lost loved ones could never be compensated with money. And what of morality and justice?
In 1984 the Agent Orange case made Feinberg a household name overnight: 250,000 Vietnam veterans who sprayed the toxic defoliant over the jungle and who later suffered from severe diseases sued the chemical companies that had produced this substance. Feinberg managed to negotiate an out-of-court settlement. However, it was the 9/11 compensation fund that truly made him a star. Since then, hardly a national tragedy has befallen the USA without Feinberg being called upon to play his part. We will focus on major cases like Agent Orange, 9/11, the Wall Street crash, the BP oil catastrophe, the GM scandal and on two current cases: the cuts in the multiemployer pension plans and the VW case – all of them are not only turning points in US history, but also troubling questions for all of us – worldwide.
Who is this man who is applauded as a modern-day King Solomon and criticised as a heartless “pay czar”? We accompany Ken Feinberg to his office, which he himself calls the “war room”, where we see how he takes decisions. The emotional attacks on his work have created serious inner conflicts for Feinberg, despite his firm conviction for what he does. We also give other protagonists a prominent role: We pay a visit to the victims’ families. Do they feel that they have been fairly treated by America’s “special master”? We interview family members, politicians, friends and enemies. By meeting these people we shine a new spotlight on the major US catastrophes, if necessary splicing them with archival material. We show the private Feinberg – where he contemplates his decisions. What in life prepared him to do this job? When he takes a break he listens to one of his 9,000 opera recordings – in his soundproof room - at full volume.
PLAYING GOD is more than just the story of a charismatic man who at times seems virtually omnipotent: What happens within our Western system of values when economic interests and people’s lives become intertwined by tragedy?
