Award-winning journalist, John Pilger, investigates the realities of globalization by taking a close look at Indonesia.
In order to examine the true effects of globalization, Pilger turns the spotlight on Indonesia, a country described by the World Bank as a model pupil until its globalized economy collapsed in 1998. The film examines the use of sweatshop factories by famous brand names, and asks some penetrating questions. Who are the real beneficiaries of the globalized economy? Who really rules the world now? Is it governments or a handful of huge companies? The Ford Motor Company alone is bigger than the economy of South Africa. Enormously rich men, like Bill Gates, have a wealth greater than all of Africa.
Pilger goes behind the hype of the new global economy and reveals that the divisions between the rich and poor have never been greater — two thirds of the world’s children live in poverty — and the gulf is widening like never before.
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The film looks at the new rulers of the world — the great multinationals and the governments and institutions that back them — the IMF and the World Bank. Under IMF rules, millions of people throughout the world lose their jobs and livelihood. The reality behind much of modern shopping and the famous brands is a sweatshop economy, which is being duplicated in country after country.
The film travels to Indonesia and Washington, asking challenging questions seldom raised in the mainstream media and exposing the scandal of globalization, including revealing interviews with top officials of the World Bank and the IMF.
About this film
Running time: 53 minutes
Format: DVD-R version available
Type: Color / Stereo
Grade Level: Grades 10-12, College, Adult
US Release Date: 2002
Copyright Date: 2001
ISBN (VHS): 1-56029-916-9
ISBN (DVD): 1-59458-337-4
Produced, Written and Presented by John Pilger, co-produced by Carlton International Media Ltd.
Directed by Alan Lowery.
Distributed by Bullfrog Films.
The DVD version of this program is recorded on DVD-R which is not compatible with some older DVD players. The list price of $250.00 for this title includes public performance rights for use of the film throughout a school/university system and/or as part of a library media collection. They also offer a community license for activist/grassroots groups at $59.00. The activist license permits community screenings where there is no admission charged. And, for individuals, the home use price is $29.95. Please consider buying a copy of this movie for your collections.
Awards
Special Award, Prix Leonardo
Silver Hugo, Chicago International Television Competition
Honorable Mention, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
MountainFilm, Telluride
Vermont International Film Festival
Global Justice Film Festival, Washington, DC
American Anthropological Association Conference
Taos Talking Picture Festival
Amnesty International Film Festival
Istanbul International Labor Film Festival
About Bullfrog Films
Bullfrog Films is the oldest and largest publisher of videos and films about the environment in the United States. Founded in 1973 it has been honored with a retrospective screening at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and with a special award from Medikinale International in Parma, Italy.
* The text of this article is from the publisher’s web page for this Documentary.
