Boeing's Reckoning Continues with Whistleblower Tragedy

Documentarian Rory Kennedy has spent her career shining light on injustices and accountability in various industries. Her latest film, 'Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing,' is a sequel to her 2022 documentary 'Downfall: The Case Against Boeing.' This new film delves deeper into the malfeasance of the aerospace company after the 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people.

After finishing 'Downfall,' Kennedy thought she was done with the topic. However, when a whistleblower named John Barnett died by suicide during depositions for a case against Boeing, Kennedy felt compelled to continue her investigation. She had come to consider Barnett a friend and believed his death was directly related to the corporation's treatment of him.

'Freefall' portrays not only the greed but also the malevolent nature of Boeing's actions. The film highlights the payouts given to each CEO despite the crashes, as well as the company's faltering value. It also shows how Boeing's lawyers argued that the victims did not suffer due to the rapid descent of the planes, thus deserving less compensation.

Kennedy believes her film can have an impact by raising awareness about the dangers of unregulated capitalism and the role of a disinterested federal government. She thinks that if CEOs were held criminally responsible, it would change behavior nationwide.