American Factory

American Factory

In 2014, a Chinese billionaire opened a Fuyao factory in a shuttered General Motors plant in Dayton, Ohio. For thousands of locals, the arrival of this multinational car-glass manufacturer meant regaining their jobs—and dignity—after the recession left them high and dry. American Factory takes us inside the facility to observe what happens when workers from profoundly different cultures collide.

At first, the culture clash is humorous. Transplanted Chinese workers attend trainings on dealing with their peculiarly casual and “chatty” American counterparts. But tensions mount. Slack safety standards and meager wages ignite serious doubts among the American rank and file. Low productivity and talk of unionization trigger a cascade of controls from Chinese management. Meanwhile, something ominous—the specter of job loss from automation— looms.

 

 

Watch the film on Netflix here

For ways to get involved, more information and discussion tools, visit americanfactoryfilm.com

 

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Press Highlights:

 
August 16th, 2019: " Q&A: Why The Obamas Became The Producers of the Netflix Documentary American Factory"
 
 
August 19th, 2019: "American Factory, a New Netflix Film From the Obamas Explores The Challenges of a Globalized Economy"
 

August 20th, 2019: "American Factory, the First Film in the Obamas' Netflix Slate, is One of the Year's Best Docs"

Associated Press News / David Bauder 

August 21st, 2019: "Film on Factory Is First Netflix Project Endorsed by Obamas"

Fast Company / Talib Visram

August 29th, 2019: "The Obamas' Netflix Doc 'American Factory' to Launch Nationwide Social Impact Tour"