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American Factory (2019) – The Clash of Cultures in a Globalized Workplace
Directed by: Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert
Starring: Cao Dewang, Jeff Liu, Fuyao Factory
Workers
Genre: Documentary
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Box Office Collection: N/A (Netflix Exclusive)
Movie Verdict: Critically Acclaimed, Academy Award
Winner
Complete Story of American
Factory (2019)
In
2008, a General Motors (GM) plant in Moraine, Ohio, shut down, leaving
thousands of American workers unemployed. The closure symbolized the decline of
American manufacturing, as globalization and automation reshaped the economy.
However, in 2014, a new opportunity arose when Chinese billionaire Cao Dewang, the chairman of Fuyao Glass,
decided to reopen the facility, bringing hope to the struggling community.
The
Rebirth of the Factory – A New Hope for American Workers
At
first, the reopening of the factory was seen as a blessing. Hundreds of
American workers were rehired, believing that their financial struggles were
finally coming to an end. The Chinese management team, including company
president Jeff
Liu, was
optimistic about expanding business in the U.S.
However,
it didn’t take long for cultural and work ethic differences to surface. The American employees
were used to a structured work-life balance, labor rights, and safety
regulations. In contrast, the Chinese managers expected long hours, high efficiency, and
unquestioned loyalty—values that clashed with the American approach.
A Cultural Divide – Struggles Between American and Chinese Workers
To
ensure productivity, Fuyao brought in hundreds of Chinese workers to train the
American employees. These workers left their families behind, lived in shared
dormitories, and worked tirelessly. While some formed friendships with their
American colleagues, others struggled to communicate due to language barriers.
The
Chinese supervisors viewed American workers as slow and unmotivated, while Americans saw the Chinese
workers as overworked
and exploited.
The differences in expectations created tension in the workplace. Safety concerns were ignored, and wages remained low,
causing frustration
among the American workforce.
The Fight for Unionization – A Battle Against Corporate Power
As
working conditions worsened, American employees started campaigning for a union to demand better wages and safety
standards. However, Fuyao’s leadership strongly opposed unionization, fearing it would increase labor
costs and reduce company control.
To
prevent workers from forming a union, the company hired anti-union consultants, conducted mandatory anti-union meetings, and fired employees who supported the
movement.
Despite the workers' efforts, the union vote ultimately failed, leaving many feeling powerless and
betrayed.
The Rise of Automation – The End of Human Labor
With
labor disputes increasing, Fuyao turned to automation, replacing human workers with
machines. As a result, many American employees lost their jobs, their dreams of stability
shattered. Even the Chinese workers, once dedicated to their roles, began
questioning their sacrifices.
By
the end of the documentary, both American and Chinese workers reflect on the changing world of labor, realizing that globalization and automation are unstoppable forces that reshape
industries. The film leaves the audience pondering a difficult question—is economic progress worth the human
cost?
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