“Insulin does not belong to me, it belongs to the world.”

—Sir Frederick Banting, co-inventor of insulin,
who sold his right to the patent for $1 in 1923.

ABOUT THE FILM

LOGLINE

From MTV Documentary Films, PAY OR DIE explores the crushing financial reality for millions of insulin-dependent Americans living with diabetes, as pharmaceutical companies push the price of this life-saving medication.

LONG SYNOPSIS

Today, nearly two million Americans living with diabetes are being held hostage by the pharmaceutical industry, as many cannot afford insulin. Without this life-sustaining drug, they will be dead in days. Access to this drug has become increasingly more difficult, as the cost to patients in America soars. PAY OR DIE follows families struggling to afford their medications and reveals the harrowing reality of living with a chronic illness in the richest country in the world. From a mother and daughter struggling to rebuild their lives after spending their rent money on insulin, to a young adult diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, to a Minnesota family thrust into the national spotlight when their 26-year-old son dies from rationing his insulin, PAY OR DIE highlights this devastating struggle to survive while living with diabetes.

Directors Scott Alexander Ruderman, Rachael Dyer

Producers Rachael Dyer, Scott Alexander Ruderman, Yael Melamede

Executive Producers Sheila Nevins, Trish Adlesic, Sarah Silverman, Amy Zvi, Regina K. Scully, Lauran Bromely, Douglas Choi, Dawn Bonder, Marci Wiseman, Russell Long, Sarah Lucas, Zak Kilberg

Supervising Producer Toby Shimin

Editor Will Rogers

Director of Photography Scott Alexander Ruderman

Music T. Griffin

FESTIVALS
2023: SXSW (World Premiere)
2023: Human Rights Watch Film Festival (Closing Night)

AWARDS
Best Feature Documentary (Rhode Island International)

AVAILABLE TERRITORIES
The World

EXHIBITION FORMATS
DCP, Digital Download