Why are we so obsessed with economic growth? Why do we keep pushing it even though we have known for over 40 years that it is impossible to grow infinitely on a finite planet? In his search for the answer to this great contradiction of our time, the two-time Grimme Prize winner Florian Opitz (Speed, Der Große Ausverkauf) delves deep into the world of real existing capitalism, reveals previously hidden connections and reveals the pathological constraints of the system. Not only does he encounter Karl Marx, still the most important analyst of capitalism, SYSTEM ERROR also opens up a whole new perspective on things: because the film looks at the system from the perspective of the capitalists. European lobbyists and financial market strategists, American hedge fund managers, Brazilian meat producers and Chinese aircraft manufacturers openly and candidly tell the director about their economic success and the blessings of growth. Undeterred by all the crises of recent years, these representatives of the system look ahead and explain why the world as we know it would collapse without growth. Not quite all who know the financial markets from the inside are happy with how things are going, though. Says Dave Lauer, one former high frequency stockmarket trader: "The economic system isn't functioning as is should and the benefits are not accruing to as many people as they could be." SYSTEM ERROR tells where the compulsion to grow comes from and where it leads humanity. And he makes one thing clear: We urgently need to talk!