Educational Media Reviews Online

The Men Who Would Conquer China follows New York investment banker Mart Bakal’s investigation into buying Chinese companies. The documentary begins with Bakal’s marveling at China’s progress in the free market economy. He believes that China is prepared to unseat the United States as the world’s leading economy. Bakal observes that by both adapting to and competing with the United States, China is ready to “beat [the US] at its own capitalist game.” Bakal cooperates with his well-connected Hong Kong business partner Vincent Lee to evaluate the feasibility and profitability of various joint business ventures in China.

Many times, documentary reviews contain expressions such as “an examination of cultural differences” to the point of becoming tired and trite. This film truly gives an engaging and often humorous examination of two dynamic opportunists from dramatically different social and business cultures discussing issues, reaching crisis stage, resolving differences, and ultimately merging their strategies and resources to “conquer” China. The two carefully navigate through bureaucratic obstacles and the trappings of political power to fulfill their strategy of buying Chinese IPO’s and unsuccessful state-owned companies.

This documentary gives a complete personal view of entrepreneurship in China. It is wildly informative and entertaining. The film gives wonderful insights into the collective minds of the two cultures involved. It should be noted that this is not a simple “upper echelon” examination of the free market in China. Both of the primary figures in the film explore and explain why China is and will remain a booming economy. Bakal makes some terse insights on Chinese consumers’ behavior. Even the poor in China are learning to modernize and prioritize their expenditures wisely.

This is a tremendous piece of work, giving its audiences a witty yet astute exploration of the intersection of globalization and entrepreneurship in China. I highly recommend this fine documentary to all audiences with particular interest in developing economies, globalization, and/or foreign investment.

Awards

• Best Feature Documentary, Film Critics Circle of Australia (2004)
• Best Editing in a Documentary, 2004 Australian Film Institute Awards
• Best Documentary Nominee, 2004 Australian Film Institute Awards