Roots Archives Forum

This is an incredible documentary about how the International Monetary Fund's neoliberal policies and "conditionalities" are ravishing the economic systems (and in turn the cultural and societal structure) of developing nations. One of the most personal, in-depth, and approachable critiques of the New World Order. Has interviews with Michael Manley (ironic that a socialist had to take the IMF loan, but I don't blame the person, I blame the systematic oppression), Jamaican workers and farmers, and politicized Rastafarians.

Only complaint I have is the director's use of Bob Marley's positive tracks (such as "One Love" and "Three Little Birds"). She seems to use them in a negative context: As songs for ignorant and wealthy tourists and not songs written for the poor to escape, if only momentarily, from society's ills. But it's only a small complaint. The film as a whole is truly informative and makes you want to turn the system upside down.


http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=l ... emb=0&aq=f#

I have watched this a few times. Very good. I agree with the detraction on the choice of music - definitely some poor choices there. I have an additional gripe in so far as while the interviewees give very good account of themselves and impart a lot of personal perspective and information (I really like the onion farmer), there is a lot of unfortunate overbearing opinion expressed in the commentary. Can't remember her name, but the narrator in dulcet tones talks a lot of shit on a few occasions. Not sure if it is her opinion or just a script, but the viewer can easily detect the unnecessary sensationalist crap with judicious use of a bullshit detector!

When she sticks to the statistics and facts - very, very good.

Also a very sad story and situation shared by many countries. I think I commented on this film elsewhere in the forum a few months ago.
I wonder if I was ranting or complimentary! I'll look it up and see what kind of arse I made of myself...

I think they went too hard and cynical on the asshole tourists. It seemed petty and grudgeful. Easy targets!

On the whole, I say - great - just don't get sucked in to the slanted opinion of it and form your own.

One of the most important factors in this film is the inclusion of frank admissions from the IMF guy of how the system works - (to plunder and destroy basically) - very disturbing and - I'm not one to get too down about life's injustices - DEPRESSING! What man will do to man in the name of $$$.

There is one additional quibble I have. I remember at the beginning (and elsewhere), the narrator addresses the tourists, you do this and you do that in a totally patronizing way. Problem here is that this wasteful device doesn't take into account that the last people to ever see this will be the typical fat, burger eating, oblivious tourist. Silly tactic and a bit of a waste in my opinion.

I totally agree that the tourists are too easy of a target that have little relevance to the overall message. And I must admit I did use patronizing language, which is unfair as I've been to Jamaica twice(it's just I don't like to view myself as ignorant haha and I'm pretty damn far from wealthy). But you also used patronizing language: "asshole tourists".

Here's my own opinion (the same opinion I had before and after I viewed this "slanted" documentary): The IMF, World Bank, and WTO are the most dangerous and destructive political organizations in the world; only rivaled by America's Military Industrial Complex. Far more than any "terrorist" group you'll hear about on the news.

I didn't mean you Blackbeltjones - the narrator addresses the viewer as 'you' - 'you' go to your hotel etc.
Jeez!
I hope you understand my point. The asshole tourists are me and you (by your own admission!) and the majority of the tourists are just ordinary people, not wealthy, not clued in but perhaps not as stupid as suggested in the film - but they are not the enemy.
The film might as well have called the viewer an asshole. That's my point really. Why antagonize the audience?

I agree with everything you say regarding the IMF, World Bank, WTO etc. The film could have got the points across better by avoiding a device or two...

I have watched this a few times as I said and like it a lot. First time watching I probably just soaked it in in all of its grim details - subsequent viewings threw up some flags as might be expected...

I saw this recently, and enjoyed it immensely. The moment with Manley admitting that his hands were tied in 1978 was very poignant.

I didn't find the narrative harsh. People need to be mindful of what is happenning "behind the scenes" when they visit places like this, and leave a little foreign cash behind. You can't visit an impoverished country and claim that "you aren't rich" because if you can afford airplane ticket, you are considered wealthy by 95% of the world.

The part that explained the rules of the Free Zone was fascintating. I didn't realize just how unaccountable these corporations are to the country where the labour force comes from.

@acetone:
**The asshole tourists are me and you (by your own admission!) and the majority of the tourists are just ordinary people, not wealthy, not clued in but perhaps not as stupid as suggested in the film - but they are not the enemy.**


I'd say that people who go to an impoverished country, ignorant of the local financial situation and without money or goods to hand out ARE the enemy! Change starts with knowledge, and to that end, the documentary served it's purpose very well.

I am not wealthy relative to my geographic and political region. In fact, I'm technically under the poverty line. But I am well aware I am not living on a dollar a day and have never claimed that I am not privileged. If you have a computer and/or the spare time to type on forums, you are also considered wealthy by 95% of the world. So please don't judge. The truly wealthy are the 1% of the worlds population that own the means of production. And attacking and critiquing those in power (ie - those who run the New World Order, the owners of production) is the overriding meaning of this documentary. So please stop making pompous and petty attacks on a web forum against people that are most likely in a similar financial boat as you.

Are you saying that I'm making pompous or petty attacks?

I don't think you understand the spirit of my comments.

I'll just drop this thread for now if I am to be deliberately misunderstood.

Peace.

ACEtone, I wasn't referring to your comments. I think you're spot on in your critique of the documentary.
I was talking to Dave K, who I believe labeled anyone who has visited Jamaica without giving out money as the "enemy" and "wealthy". Dave K, if I misread your post I apologize for my earlier comment.

But I really feel this documentary's main purpose was to expose the true nature of neoliberalism; making fat cats fatter and the poor, in turn, poorer. And I agree with ACEtone that relentlessly attacking tourists (who did not sign a single free trade agreement or design the "conditionalities" of IMF loans) takes away from the main theme.

OK, I understand better now. Thanks for the clarification.

Obviously a very charged topic! as it should be - not just in the case of Jamaica but every other exploited country...

BBJ:

I didn't mean to paint everyone with that brush if that's how it was interpreted. It was more a general comment than one specific about the documentary, which was that people should be aware of the living conditions of places where they go, and help out when they can. A little can go a long way. I see it as a moral obligation, but I appreciate that opinions differ on the subject.