Private Project

The Blockchain and Us

Swiss filmmaker Manuel Stagars portrays the state of blockchain technology in 2017 in interviews with software developers, cryptologists, researchers, entrepreneurs, consultants, VCs, authors, politicians, and futurists from the United States, Canada, Switzerland, the UK, and Australia.

How can the blockchain benefit the economies of nations? How will it change society? What does this mean for each of us? The Blockchain and Us is no explainer video of the technology. It gives a view on the topic, makes it accessible and starts a conversation about its potential wider implications in a non-technical way. The film deliberately poses more questions than it answers.

  • Manuel Stagars
    Director
    FinTech Made in Switzerland (2016), Digital Transformation (2018)
  • Manuel Stagars
    Writer
    FinTech Made in Switzerland (2016), Digital Transformation (2018)
  • Manuel Stagars
    Producer
    FinTech Made in Switzerland (2016), Digital Transformation (2018)
  • David Birch
    Key Cast
  • Perianne Boring
    Key Cast
  • Christian Decker
    Key Cast
  • Taylor Gerring
    Key Cast
  • Marco Carlo Grossi
    Key Cast
  • Caitlin Long
    Key Cast
  • R. Jesse McWaters
    Key Cast
  • Paul Meeusen
    Key Cast
  • Dolfi Müller
    Key Cast
  • Matthew Roszak
    Key Cast
  • Guido Rudolphi
    Key Cast
  • Jan Seffinga
    Key Cast
  • Elizabeth Stark
    Key Cast
  • Alex Tapscott
    Key Cast
  • Lars Thomsen
    Key Cast
  • Eric van der Kleij
    Key Cast
  • Roger Wattenhofer
    Key Cast
  • Rik Willard
    Key Cast
  • Seve Wilson
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    30 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    April 4, 2017
  • Country of Origin:
    Switzerland
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    1080p
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Fraude Film Festival
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    September 20, 2017
    Netherlands
    Official Selection
  • Transitions Film Festival
    Melbourne
    Australia
    March 5, 2018
    Australia
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Manuel Stagars

Manuel Stagars was born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland. He is an economist, film director, author, and serial entrepreneur with twenty years of experience in consulting and startups in Switzerland, the United States, Japan, and Singapore.

Manuel’s current film projects focus on the potential of technology for the economies of nations, societies, and the lives of people around the world.

He has published books and scientific articles on startups, marketplace lending, impact investing, data quality, and Open Data.

Manuel has a degree in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and several financial certifications (CFA, CAIA, ERP).

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Director Statement

Even though it is little known, the blockchain is perhaps one of the most transformative technologies of our time. The applications of this technology go far beyond the cryptocurrency bitcoin. I made The Blockchain and Us to take the pulse of people deep in the vanguard of blockchain tech and its philosophy. I hope this film stimulates a conversation about the digital future, its challenges and opportunities, and I hope it inspires viewers to think about a future that benefits all of us.