Coat of Many Countries 1999
Distributed by Filmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street New York, NY 10016; 212-808-4980
Produced by Galafilm Inc., in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Directed by Tom Puchniak and Josh Freed
VHS, color, 48 min.
High School - Adult
Business
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Michael J. Coffta, Business Librarian, Bloomsburg University of PennsylvaniaThis film documents the production of men's suits for retail in the United States. Once, the production of a garment was completed entirely in one location. With the globalization of the economy, it now makes sense to assemble the suit in stages in different areas of the world. It is estimated that the suits travel over 60,000 miles from start to finish. The savings in labor and material costs in this "globe-trotting" model outweigh the costs of transportation and tariffs. The wool for the garment is raised in Australia, the fabric is woven in India, the buttons made in Canada, the shoulder pads made in China, and the final product is manufactured in Russia. The film makes some political commentary regarding the improvement of lives of these Russian laborers. There is also some commentary on the corruption that businesses must face when manufacturing goods in the former Soviet Union.
Coat of Many Countries is a good film, but only recommended for high school business and economics students.