The Slave Circle

Pyramid scheme, scam, cult...all words used to describe the direct sales/marketing operation profiled in The Slave Circle - a film about a business where you are owned.

From how the business seeks out the most vulnerable recruits, to the psychological pressures used to make recruits conform to a singular mindset, to the lies told through its pyramid-shaped business model, The Slave Circle paints a complete picture of a worldwide business operation you may have heard about, interviewed for, or purchased a product from - without even realizing it.

  • Alex Semchuck
    Director
    Stagnant Hope: Gary, Indiana
  • Alex Semchuck
    Writer
    Stagnant Hope: Gary, Indiana
  • Alex Semchuck
    Producer
    Stagnant Hope: Gary, Indiana
  • Alex Semchuck
    Key Cast
    "Narrator"
    Stagnant Hope: Gary, Indiana
  • Jessica Schmidt
    Key Cast
    "Reenactor"
  • Justin Schmidt
    Key Cast
    "Reenactor"
  • Meagan Edwards
    Key Cast
    "Reenactor"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 38 minutes 18 seconds
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Alex Semchuck

Alex J. Semchuck is the writer, producer, director, and editor of two independent feature-length documentary films: "Stagnant Hope: Gary, Indiana" was released in 2014, and "The Slave Circle" in 2018.

Semchuck produces his films as well as personally-contracted videos through his production company, Precision Independent Media (Precision Productions). He is assistant professor of communication at Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington, Indiana, where he instructs courses in mass communication, interpersonal communication, and public speaking.

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Director Statement

I felt compelled to produce "The Slave Circle" because the subject has affected so many people. Speaking from experience, when you are unemployed and looking for a job (especially one that requires little experience), you will jump on most any offer that comes along. When that opportunity advertises total financial freedom in just a few years, most people would jump on it without questioning.

The business profiled in "The Slave Circle" makes that very claim - and for over 99% of the people who take the opportunity, it is a blatant lie. I am hoping that by seeing this film (as far as I know the first of its kind to address these specific businesses), people will be better-informed, be more cautious when accepting interviews and job offers from ambiguous companies, and be able to think critically if they ever find themselves involved in companies like this.