A few entries ago (22 Oct 2007), I judged a book I read about globalisation. Last night, I was able to watch a documentary about the reality of globalisation, thanks to the Documentary Channel screening some excellent fare from the International Film Festival (also from earlier this year).
China Blue followed the lives of some of the workers in a denim jean factory in a Chinese city. While supposedly a documentary, the story was told through the eyes of a new employee to the factory, and her "back story" was obviously recreated for the benefit of the film. Likewise, most of the scenes of interactio between her and her colleagues seemed a bit forced and rehearsed, but given the fact that this documentary could be made at all (as most Western labels do not allow factories to let journalists and documentary makers in to film the conditions under which their products are sold), these were perhaps forgivable - if not terribly "authentic" - touches.
What was exposed though was the effect of globalisation on China. The fact the most remote village had cell phone coverage and the abundance of Western products was balanced by the fact the factory workers earned about $70 a month making jeans that would retail in Western markets for over $70 a pair. The "about $70" is not just because of my shonky memory, but also because the amount they were paid varied dependent on the amount of money the Western clothing stores were willing to pay - if they could get their jeans made elsewhere for cheaper, the factory bosses had to either match or better that offer or lose the contract. Labour Unions were not allowed, complaining to the authorities was out of the question, and wages went unpaid for 7 weeks - though the factory owner seemed nonplussed when his workers demanded their pay, dismissing them as ignorant and greedy peasants. Considering the factory filmed was one of the "more progressive" in that part of the country, the conditions for most workers in China must be (relative to Western standards) abysmal.
One thing totally stuck in my craw however. I judge most things by Western standards, so I am willing to give people from other cultures the benefit of the doubt. However, to see a Western lady in the documentary who was visiting the factory declare "Oh, isn't that convenient for them! That's wonderful!" in tones of rapture when viewing the workers dormitories which were located in the factory grounds really got to me. The workers in this factory work about 15 hours a day - more if the shipment requires it. Having them on site (paying for board, food and hot water), firing women if they get pregnant or complain too much, and withholding their first month's wages as a "bond" are all techniques to keep the workers compliant and docile - and to see a Western woman unable to see these for what they were, or possibly blind to these truths and seeing the money such cheap labour would make her, made me seethe. I was yelling at the TV that this patronising woman should recommend to her employer that she be relocated to a building next to her office for her "convenience" as well, and see what she thinks then. Grrrr. [As an aside though: if she did that though I suppose I wouldn't be able to call her "patronising"...]
The ideal of globalisation is the eventual "equalisation" of societies, and the raising of living standards across the world. Documentaries like this highlight how ideals find it very hard to survive contact with human reality.
Verdict: Illuminating, but a bit too "staged" to hold my attention for its 90 minute length. On a scale of "trendiness", this film ranks as flares in a skin tight world.
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