No strangers to the spotlight, the Obamas have had enough with the sunshine and relaxation from exiting the presidency. They are looking to get back into the hell-storm we know as American politics today by debuting their first documentary called American Factory.
What We Know:
A good story gives you the chance to better understand someone else’s life. It can help you find common ground. And it’s why Michelle and I were drawn to Higher Ground’s first film, American Factory. Take a look at our conversation with the directors, and check it out on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/KzkYFqjrFV
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 21, 2019
- The documentary focuses on a Chinese billionaire who hires 2,000 blue-collar workers in an abandoned General Motors plant in Ohio, according to Fox News. It shines a light on how these workers will be replaced by robots and other machines. They also talk about how some workers pay have declined from $29 per hour all the way to $12.84, according to Politico.
- The documentary compares both an American and Chinese worker. The American was annoyed that the microwaves were broken. While in another part of the factory, a Chinese worker enjoys his two twinkies and is unfazed about his small lunchtime.
- Obama tried to revive American factories in the past, mainly with green manufacturing projects. He also bailed out General Motors and Chrysler, saving some jobs in the process. As we continue to become more of a service economy, it’s clear these jobs will die out leaving future presidents with the role of giving these workers new jobs.
- Higher Ground Productions, the Obamas’ production team, announced seven projects that would be made to “educate, connect and inspire us all.” The Obamas launched Higher Grounds to make a mix of documentaries and features. Netflix acquired American Factory from Participant Media out of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. It won the documentary directing award.
- Critics such as Dan Gainor, the Vice President of Media Research Center, attacked the film by calling it “lefty propaganda” and saying that “this documentary is the very kind of film liberals want to ban if it comes from the right.”
- This is seen as an attack on Trump due to how he has called for factory/manufacturing jobs to come back to America throughout his campaign and presidency. The documentary shows the viewer why these companies prefer using Asian workers over Americans, they simply cost less and are more productive.
Trump’s name wasn’t specifically mentioned in the documentary and he has yet to fire back with any tweet over this documentary.
