Aside from being a well-known Hollywood star, Matt Damon is also passionate about social issues. One of his passions include the improvement of education and the U.S. public school system.
Thus, the "Jason Bourne" actor got aboard the project called "Backpack Full of Cash." The documentary film explores what is really going on in the education reform policies that is affecting students in America and their families.
Produced by Sarah Mondale and Vera Aronow, "Backpack Full of Cash" revolves around a U.S. public school named South Philadelphia High. It has a student body of over 1,000 but severely lacking in teachers and facilities.
Across town, new charter schools have opened up in the city using funds that could've improved U.S. public schools like South Philadelphia High. The film explores and highlights how these charter schools came about, as part of the education reforms and its effect on the rest of the education system. Also featured in the documentary are U.S. public school systems in Tenessee and Louisiana.
"The expansion of charter schools is draining funds from our public schools and benefiting some children while leaving others behind with fewer resources," Matt Damon told The Washington Post when asked why he agreed to narrate "Backpack Full of Cash." He cited that this story needs to be told because the public needs to know that U.S. public school reforms are causing a great divide in America.
The worst hit in these education reforms are the students that come from low income families. "True education equity will come when we address the deeper issues underlying education inequality such as child poverty, racial segregation, and the unequal funding of our schools," the Academy-award winning actor further said.
Matt Damon seems the right choice for "Backpack Full of Cash" as his mother is an early education teacher at a U.S. public school. "He said he really believed in the topic and he knows a lot about it," Sarah Mondale said when they approached the actor for the documentary, according to Lohud.
The film has been featured at select venues only but the producers have opened up a Kickstarter campaign so that it will be completed and distributed to a larger audience. Learn more about "Backpack Full of Cash" in the video below.
