MTV Documentary Films is shedding light on America’s insulin crisis with the release of their new documentary, Pay Or Die. The film, which was acquired at this year’s South by Southwest Film Festival, highlights the soaring costs of insulin and the struggles faced by individuals and families who rely on it.
Executive produced by Sarah Silverman, Pay Or Die is set to open at New York City’s IFC Center on November 1, coinciding with the start of National Diabetes Month. The film will then be rolled out nationwide. This theatrical release will qualify the documentary for consideration at the Academy Awards. Additionally, starting on World Diabetes Day on November 14, Pay Or Die will be available for streaming on Paramount+.
Directed by Scott Alexander Ruderman and Rachael Dyer, the 90-minute film follows the stories of three families who are grappling with the financial burden of purchasing their diabetes medications. The American Diabetes Association reported in 2022 that over 37 million Americans, approximately 11% of the population, are living with diabetes. Out of that number, 8.4 million people rely on insulin for their survival. Shockingly, Pay Or Die reveals that nearly two million Americans with diabetes cannot afford the insulin they need.
Similar to Michael Moore’s Sicko, the documentary aims to bring attention to the ongoing struggle for affordable healthcare in America. The filmmakers hope to spark conversations surrounding this issue in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.
One of the individuals featured in the film is Alec Smith, a 26-year-old man from Minneapolis who tragically passed away in 2017 due to complications from rationing his insulin. After aging out of his mother’s insurance plan, Smith could not afford the staggering $1,300 monthly cost of the medication he required.
Pay Or Die also follows the efforts of Smith’s parents as they fight for affordable insulin through advocacy with Minnesota lawmakers. These costs are artificially inflated by the pharmaceutical industry and insurance companies. In 2022, the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act was implemented to regulate insulin prices.
The documentary also tells the stories of a mother and daughter who struggle to rebuild their lives after using their rent money to purchase insulin, as well as a 19-year-old who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Director Scott Alexander Ruderman emphasizes the power of filmmaking to effect change and save lives. He believes that the documentary not only raises awareness about the struggles faced by those who need insulin, but also sheds light on the broader issue of exorbitant prices for various essential medications, such as cancer treatments, inhalers, and blood pressure pills. He underscores the importance of viewing healthcare as a public service rather than a business.
MTV Documentary Films, under the leadership of Sheila Nevins, currently has two feature documentaries contending for Oscar consideration: Pay Or Die and The Eternal Memory, which explores the intersection of love and Alzheimer’s disease.
Pay Or Die was executive produced by Sheila Nevins, Trish Adlesic, Sarah Silverman, and others. Ruderman and Dyer served as directors and producers, while Yael Melamede, Regina K. Scully, and Amy Zvi also contributed as producers. The documentary’s music is composed by T. Griffin, and the cinematography is done by Scott Alexander Ruderman. Toby Shimin worked as the supervising editor, and Will Rogers as the editor.
This powerful documentary aims to draw attention to the critical issue of insulin affordability in America, and its impact on the lives of millions of individuals and families. By exposing the reality of this crisis, Pay Or Die strives to create lasting change and advocate for accessible and affordable healthcare for all.
