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      Life and Debt

      Released Sep 21, 2001 1 hr. 20 min. Documentary List
      90% 42 Reviews Tomatometer 90% 1,000+ Ratings Audience Score "Life and Debt" is a searing documentary from director Stephanie Black that examines the ways that policies of the International Monetary Fund (I.M.F.), the World Bank, and other aid organizations have changed the Jamaican economy over the past 25 years. Read More Read Less

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      Life and Debt

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      Audience Reviews

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      Ethan T Life and Debt is a suitably urgent and angry documentary ripping into the hypocrisy of the powers behind globalization, although it slightly overstays its welcome and becomes more occupied with its own atmosphere than conducting its business snappily. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/04/21 Full Review Audience Member *OFFFICIAL BETTER THAN EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE SEAL* Why is this movie so condescending? *written and directed by Doc* I KNEW IT! Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member the greatest example of globalization in action I have ever seen. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member A 2001 film showing how IMF and globalisation destroyed Jamaica and its unknown side, unknown for us that only know the country for its reggae, rasta and marijuana. Any similarities with 2001 Greece are purely coincidental and the display thereof is has not been intention of the author. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member On watching an award winning documentary â~Life and Debtâ(TM), I am quite shocked by how IMF and World Bank has arm twisted small nations (Jamaica) for decades as they are doing to India now. It appears like no one has learnt lessons from past failures upon sudden financial deregulation and currency devaluation on 3rd world countries. As many of you know, I have been crying foul over rampant corporatization, unregulated market centric growth which has widened the income gap to a rift and left Indiaâ(TM)s 750 million poor floundering in the shining India of the top 100 million. Life and Debt is a very important documentary for every world citizen but especially to my Indian friends because the structural adjustment policies at the roots of this ignominy in Jamaica (as captured in Life and Debt) have striking resemblance to what has happened in India over last decade. Just like small farmer in Jamaica is encouraged/forced by policies and international agreements to grow pepper, Indian farmer is advised to grow cash crops like cotton both unsuitable for individual circumstances. European and American farm produce is highly subsidized while Jamaican and Indian governments are forced to remove all subsidies to their farmers and then they have to compete with European products in the open market. There is also a parallel between exorbitant interest rates for small farm loans in India and the interest rates enforced by IMF for loans to Jamaican farmers. In more ways than one, Jamaican farms serve as a laboratory for policies in a large country like India. Why will the policies that left Jamaica in utter poverty leave majority of Indians any different. Is it worth it? Is it worthy fattening the top 100 million at the cost flattening the bottom 750 million? - Nitin Sonawane Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Globalization and free trade is a tragic joke that ruins local economies. See: Haiti and Jamaica for examples. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Powerfully illustrates what globalization has been doing to underdeveloped countries around the world. Aug 20, 2007 Full Review Ed Rampell Variety This case study of globalization's effects on Jamaica is a timely, never dull piece of agitprop that comes off as a cross between Godard's social protest docs and The Harder They Come. Aug 20, 2007 Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out Talking heads are intercut to synthesise theory and practice, but as an economic diatribe this is a bit patronising and not wholly persuasive. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) It is an instructive story of exploitation. Aug 20, 2007 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Stephanie Black puts into context the differences between the Jamaica seen by tourists and the country inhabited by its oppressed people. Rated: 5/5 Oct 5, 2006 Full Review Andrew Rodgers Zap2it.com As documentaries about economics go, this one is way, way up at the top. Feb 25, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis "Life and Debt" is a searing documentary from director Stephanie Black that examines the ways that policies of the International Monetary Fund (I.M.F.), the World Bank, and other aid organizations have changed the Jamaican economy over the past 25 years.
      Director
      Stephanie Black
      Screenwriter
      Jamaica Kincaid
      Distributor
      New Yorker Films
      Genre
      Documentary
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Sep 21, 2001, Wide
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Sep 5, 2018
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $263.1K
      Sound Mix
      Dolby Stereo, Dolby SR, Dolby A
      Aspect Ratio
      Flat (1.85:1)
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