Documentarian Stephanie Black delivers a scathing account of the effects of globalization on Third World economies. Specifically, the dire conditions faced by Jamaican farmers and factory workers who struggle in abject poverty, while visiting Americans and Western Europeans regard their country as a tourist spot. Narrated by Jamaica Kincaid, whose book "A Small Place" inspired the film. 86 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; audio commentary; music video; photo gallery; deleted scenes; theatrical trailer; more.

This 86 minute feature film, directed by Stephanie Black with narration written by Jamaica Kincaid (based on "A Small Place") takes a hard look at IMF and the anti-globalization movement through Jamaican eyes. Additional footage includes Michael Manley's last interview, a special bonus music video by Anthony B., Director's Commentary, Theatrical Trailer, Scene Selections; chock ful

Average Customer Review: ( 60 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.

Basically though, this film is about economics and the changes that have occurred in the years since the British left in the 1960s and Jamaica had to borrow money from international lending institutions. Former Prime Minister Michael Manley describes how the interest is so high that it keeps the economy constantly in a debt that keeps growing. And Jamaican money is so devalued that it is cheaper to buy imports rather than produce them itself.

Just a few years ago, farmers got good prices from raising chickens and there was large plant to process them, giving people jobs. The factories are closed now and the farmers can't sell their chickens because of cheaper imports. Also, there is a special free trade zone where garments are put together for such companies such as Hanes. Everything is delivered to the factory pre-cut and ready to sew and the workers toil long hours for no more than $30 per week. During the course of the filming, even that factory closed to reopen in another third-world country where the labor might be even cheaper.

All this is contrasted with constant cuts to the tourists who are frolicking at the hotels and enjoying themselves in such silly games as beer drinking contests.

The film is done well, and the cinematography and direction are excellent. I was able to follow the points being made about the economic issues and, although I know I don't have enough background in the subject to really understand it completely, there was no doubt about how the economy is collapsing. Even their banana exports are being threatened. This film is definitely worth seeing.

21 of 21 found the following review helpful:

FIVE STARS, FIFTY STARS--ABSOLUTELY MUST BUY.Oct 15, 2003

If you care about the effects of US-dominated economic policies upon so-called developing nations ("developing" a euphemism for economically terrorized, left-to-bleed-to-death, etc.)... if it matters to you what is being done to them in our name (for the benefit of citizens of US & the rich nations) you MUST HAVE THIS. Don't even think about it. Don't even read any other reviews... let the raw power of the film hit you straight up. Mere words don't get it. See the faces of the oppressed. Hear their stories. Then get involved. Send copies to everybody, legislators, business leaders, libaries. Get creative. Get on the internet (global exchange, democracy now, etc). Otherwise the terror will continue... in our name.

10 of 10 found the following review helpful:

An eye-opening documentary about Jamaica's plightAug 11, 2005
By Adelknight Seven "oodleman_aka_mazza_2k3"
Life and Debt is an amazing documentary that should have gotten more publicity than it did. This documentary is about Jamaica, the Caribbean island that Americans usually have a stereotypical idea about being just a beautiful tourist island for vacations. However after watching this movie you become more aware about the negative effects of globalization on Jamaica. This documentary was very engaging and interesting, because there was a variety of topics and interviews with many important people such as the former president of Jamaica. The different interviews are from many perspectives, from farmers and laymen to an authority figure in the International Monetary Fund (IMF). From this documentary, you learn how Jamaica has been trapped into a cycle of debt and hardship because of the loans with high interest rates that the World Bank and IMF have provided them. You learn about the insidious trade policies that cause a surplus of imports from overseas to destroy Jamaica's native farmer's chances of succeeding. You learn about how this former British colony is invaded by McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, and big corporations looking for cheap labor that exploits poor Jamaicans. The narration is excellent, the background music features great reggae music, and the cinematography was skillfully employed.

I definitely would suggest watching this documentary to learn more about how America and the IMF's policy's towards Jamaica and other "developing countries" have caused them to become mired into economic and social problems. This was an excellent and beautiful movie that taught me more about the situation in Jamaica and how it arose.

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:

The World is Too MuchJan 30, 2006
By Arctic Voice Earl
My wife Chris and I saw a screening of this movie one frigid winter night in the Alaskan Arctic, with temps about 20 below zero.

For a few minutes, we envied the residents of sunny Jamaica, but as Stephanie Black's film moved along, we felt pity for the Jamaicans, struck so hard and cruelly by globalization and the international money interests.

So devoid of hope that they cannot even dream of travel away from their island, at the same time as they see air conditioned buses full of good-time tournists buzzing by their slums.

The scenes of corporations beefing up their security forces were especially chilling. We are seeing the same kind of private police emerging in Iraq.

Could that be what the War in Iraq is about -- protecting corporate interests in prime overseas markets?

See this movie when you can, and then go out for a nice glass of reconstituted milk. The globalized interests say it is the best thing for you. Don't disappoint them,

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:

The hidden handSep 26, 2005
By SonDon "SonDon"
I was born in Jamaica; however, found this production very enlightening. The usual non-publicized under-the-surface protocol which is implemented to keep a targeted country's economy on it's knees I found apalling but not surprising. The exhorbitant interest rates (dictated by the IMF) for borrowers which makes their products non competitive with subsidized ones imported from the US is elementary financial bamboozling designed to kill entrepreneurial initiative. This story can serve as educational for those of us who have no idea what measures conribute to devaluation of Jamaica's currency.

Good production.

See all 60 customer reviews on Amazon.com