Soap for world peace
A documentary about the hit fair-trade soap manufacturer with a mission that goes far beyond clean hands.
Dr. Bronner’s started as a family soapmaking tradition and grew into a multi-million-dollar business. It was founded in 1948 by the German Jewish soapmaker Emmanuel Bronner (1908), who immigrated to the United States just before the outbreak of the Second World War.
After losing his parents during the holocaust, Emanuel began spreading a message of ‘love and unity’ to anyone who would listen. He also sold soap. His philosophy still forms the foundation of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap. Today the company is run by two of his grandsons Mike & David Bronner.
In the brand new documentary series ‘Fix the World and Make Money’ filmmakers Erik Loots & Linda Vermaat share the inspiring stories of six social entrepreneurs from all over the globe. The companies’ missions are clear, but challenging the established order is no easy task. We follow the entrepreneurs on their road to success; from disillusion and despair to hope and excitement. On the 16th of October the Dr. Bronner’s episode will be launched on TwentieFour’s Youtube Channel.
He made soap to sell the label
Dr. Bronner’s is committed to put into practice the principles that have been printed on the company’s iconic soap labels since the 1940's. David Bronner (CEO) about his grandfather: “People were gathering to buy the soap, but weren’t really sticking around to hear what he had to say. So he started putting his message on the labels of the soap.” Mike Bronner (president): “He actually made soap to sell the label. Not a label to sell the soap.”
Fair Pay Today
The modern adaptation of his ‘all-one’ vision is to make good products for the planet, and be good to the people using and making those products. Since the late 60’s, the average salary in the US has stagnated and the minimum wage has declined by 30%. Dr. Bronner’s advocates that everybody who works a regular 40 hour a week job should be able to afford to feed their families. They dedicate their profits to the Fair Pay Today campaign and temporarily dedicated their label to the cause in order to raise awareness. The label had massive impact, with a bottle being sold on average every 2.2 seconds in 2017.
Behind the scenes
In every episode, filmmakers Erik Loots & Linda Vermaat follow one “Fix the World” founder for 24 hours non-stop, resulting in an intimate look inside in their home and work life. The focus of this series is not doomsday threat of climate change or capitalism. Instead, meet the dreamers, pioneers and go-getters that have chosen entrepreneurship as their weapon for change.
The power of good business
‘Fix the World and Make Money’ is the first international documentary series by production company TwentieFour. By celebrating unconventional social businesses from around the world they want to inspire people not to give up; on themselves or on a better world. Innovation and positive change is happening, not just in Silicon Valley, but also in India, Peru and Amsterdam.
Other episodes and release dates
(Click on the episode title to read the individual press releases)
House of Eléonore — Bling without the sin — 25th of September
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, until she learns how her bling is mined. House of Eléonore exclusively uses fair trade gold and laboratory created diamonds. But can a sustainable underdog make it in the cutthroat world of high-end jewellery?
Laboratoria- Code your way out of poverty — 2nd of October
Mariana Costa Checa (Peru) educates young underprivileged women to become competitive web developer to escape poverty. How do these women fair in their new environment and will they get a good job?
Edible Cutlery — Spoons vs plastic pollution — 9th of October
Narayana Peesapaty (India) wants to reverse our dependency on plastic by providing an alternative; edible cutlery. A brilliant invention that almost didn’t survive huge financial backlash. A story about perseverance and good karma.
Erika Lust — Is feminist porn hot? — 23rd of October
Is porn by definition chauvinistic and racist? Feminist and independent adult filmmaker Erika Lust (Spain) believes it doesn’t have to be and is providing a friendly alternative.
Note for the editors
Download press kit
Interested in interviewing one of the entrepreneurs or the filmmakers?
Please contact:
Linda Vermaat
linda@twentiefour.com
31 6 24214970
Check our website for more information. We can share other episodes, trailers and press releases upon request.
About TwentieFour
Video production company TwentieFour was founded by creative couple Erik Loots and Linda Vermaat. They write and produce (long and short form) films and commercials for companies and organisations making this world a better place. Erik is an independent filmmaker and Linda works as an impact startup scout and moderator. They came up with the idea for this documentary on their third date in Marrakech, Morocco. They are married and expecting their first child in the Fall.
This series is a co-production with BrightVibes, a media platform for positive news and stories with a global reach of more than 1,5 million.
We would love to thank Triple for their support and faith in our project. Triple is the innovative digital partner voor A-list brands. Schalk & Lex, without you this could not have been possible.
