Educational Media Reviews Online

Years ago Argentina had a high standard of living; the unemployment rates were low due to support from government programs, social services and education. This situation changed drastically with pressure from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization, forcing Argentina to adopt new economic policies and globalization.

Argentina privatized its public services, laying off government employees and deregulating business to free up the private sector. Imports replaced local manufacturing and commerce was coming in and out of the country making it look like the economy was growing but the reality was that only a few were benefiting. Local manufacturers went broke due to the competition with cheap imports. Farmers were forced off their land. They grew products that Argentineans don’t normally eat, like soybeans. New economic policies promoted by the World Bank forced each country to specialize in whatever they could produce at the cheapest price and buy the rest in the world market. “Produce more at the least cost” became their new modus operandi.

Unemployment increased to 40%. No jobs and no income for Argentineans caused the middle class to disappear and to intensify the inequality within the entire country. The banks closed their doors filing for bankruptcy and Argentineans entered into a crisis filled with panic, stress and anxiety.

These economic conditions encouraged the people in Argentina to come together and find solutions instead of fighting with each other. Communities organized themselves and helped others. A new force emerged among neighborhoods. Workers took over the factories, elected new managers and organized unions. They formed cooperatives and the earnings were divided in equal parts. Workers proved they could run the factories themselves. Everything that the politicians said could not be done; the communities were in fact, doing together. By 2003, over 200 factories were taken over by their workers. These workers were successfully producing, selling and making profits.

Demonstrating a constant fight for survival and equality, this documentary contains precise and complete information. The film is a little too long for a single classroom presentation but it can be shown in two sessions. The viewpoints are well established from the beginning and reinforced during the film. The picture and sound qualities are very good, and superb background music by well known musicians adds to the emotional impact. The film is in English and Spanish with subtitles. It would be most suitable for academic programs in Latin American studies, globalization, ethics, economics, international relations, and sociology.