The Barack and Michelle
Obama-produced film “American Factory” snagged an Oscar on Sunday for best
documentary — a win for Netflix, which backed the story of a manufacturing
plant in the US Midwest reopened by a Chinese billionaire.
Obama-produced film “American Factory” snagged an Oscar on Sunday for best
documentary — a win for Netflix, which backed the story of a manufacturing
plant in the US Midwest reopened by a Chinese billionaire.
The film charts a Rust
Belt community’s journey from optimism at the giant plant’s reopening, which
brought back vital jobs, towards creeping anger and disillusionment, as the
Chinese management imposed strict, exhausting demands on workers — and sacked
those who did not comply.
Belt community’s journey from optimism at the giant plant’s reopening, which
brought back vital jobs, towards creeping anger and disillusionment, as the
Chinese management imposed strict, exhausting demands on workers — and sacked
those who did not comply.
“Our film is from Ohio
and China,” director Julia Reichert said. “But it really could be from anywhere
that people put on a uniform, punch a clock, trying to make their families have
a better life.”
and China,” director Julia Reichert said. “But it really could be from anywhere
that people put on a uniform, punch a clock, trying to make their families have
a better life.”
“Working people have it
harder and harder these days, and we believe that things will get better when
workers of the world unite,” she said in accepting her statuette.
harder and harder these days, and we believe that things will get better when
workers of the world unite,” she said in accepting her statuette.
Co-directed by Reichert
and Steven Bognar, the film is an all-access look at how both American and
Chinese workers, from blue-collar to management, had their lives transformed by
powerful global economic forces.
and Steven Bognar, the film is an all-access look at how both American and
Chinese workers, from blue-collar to management, had their lives transformed by
powerful global economic forces.
The story was moving
enough to catch notice from none other than the Obamas.
enough to catch notice from none other than the Obamas.
The former first couple
acquired “American Factory” early last year at the Sundance Film Festival,
where it had won the directing award.
acquired “American Factory” early last year at the Sundance Film Festival,
where it had won the directing award.
It was released on
Netflix in August 2019 as the first offering from the former first couple’s
Higher Ground Productions company.
Netflix in August 2019 as the first offering from the former first couple’s
Higher Ground Productions company.
The film’s co-producer
and the factory’s chairman were unable to leave China for the ceremony, due to
White House restrictions on travel over the coronavirus panic.
and the factory’s chairman were unable to leave China for the ceremony, due to
White House restrictions on travel over the coronavirus panic.
“That inconvenience
pales when compared to people losing their lives, suffering because of this
virus,” co-director Bognar said backstage.
pales when compared to people losing their lives, suffering because of this
virus,” co-director Bognar said backstage.
The Obamas
congratulated Reichert and Bognar for their win Sunday, with the former
president calling the film “a complex, moving story about the very human
consequences of wrenching economic change.”
congratulated Reichert and Bognar for their win Sunday, with the former
president calling the film “a complex, moving story about the very human
consequences of wrenching economic change.”
“Glad to see two
talented and downright good people take home the Oscar for Higher Ground’s
first release,” he tweeted.
talented and downright good people take home the Oscar for Higher Ground’s
first release,” he tweeted.
The former first lady
said she was “glad to see their heart and honesty recognized — because the best
stories are rarely tidy or perfect.”
said she was “glad to see their heart and honesty recognized — because the best
stories are rarely tidy or perfect.”
“But that’s where the
truth so often lies,” she tweeted.
truth so often lies,” she tweeted.
“American Factory”
bested “The Edge of Democracy,” “The Cave,” “For Sama” and “Honeyland” to take
the Oscar.
bested “The Edge of Democracy,” “The Cave,” “For Sama” and “Honeyland” to take
the Oscar.
(AFP)
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