2008 Woodie Awards
Documentary "Maquilapolis" about factory workers
Sari Schutrum-Boward
Issue date: 2/16/08 Section: News
"We are just objects, objects of labor," says a factory worker in the documentary "Maquilapolis."
On Feb. 6, students and faculty ventured to Bryan Jr. Auditorium to watch "Maquilapolis," a documentary about women factory workers in Tijuana, Mexico. After the film, Maria Amado, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology, and Maria Rosales, assistant professor of political science, held a panel to talk about globalization and female labor.
The 52-minute documentary looks at many women factory workers but mainly focuses on the life of Carmen. Carmen works for one of Tijuana's maquiladoras factories.
"The documentary was very thought provoking," said the event coordinator Kimberly Yarbray, leadership for social change coordinator. "Because the movie was slow and had many visuals, I was able to really process the women's stories. I think we learn best when we hear people's stories. Hearing these women's stories just opened my mind and heart to understand what they are facing everyday."
Maquiladoras are foreign-owned factories that have come to Mexico for its cheap labor and then export the goods to other countries. Mexico has had a large decline in wages since the beginning of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). About 1.3 million people turn to Tijuana's maquiladoras to find jobs.
The factories produce televisions, electrical cables, toys, clothes, batteries, and IV tubes. The factory workers make $6 a day and are exposed to toxic chemicals.
Junior Katrina Siladi traveled with the Guilford group Witness for Peace to Oaxaca, Mexico, to learn about free trade.
"The people that we met had an understanding that their lives are being adversely affected by free change," Siladi said. "Many people in the United States don't think about their effects of their purchases."
"Maquilapolis" talks about the neighborhoods Carmen and the other factory workers live in, which have no sewage lines or electricity. Carmen built a home for herself and her three children out of recycled garage doors. The home has no floors.
On Feb. 6, students and faculty ventured to Bryan Jr. Auditorium to watch "Maquilapolis," a documentary about women factory workers in Tijuana, Mexico. After the film, Maria Amado, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology, and Maria Rosales, assistant professor of political science, held a panel to talk about globalization and female labor.
The 52-minute documentary looks at many women factory workers but mainly focuses on the life of Carmen. Carmen works for one of Tijuana's maquiladoras factories.
"The documentary was very thought provoking," said the event coordinator Kimberly Yarbray, leadership for social change coordinator. "Because the movie was slow and had many visuals, I was able to really process the women's stories. I think we learn best when we hear people's stories. Hearing these women's stories just opened my mind and heart to understand what they are facing everyday."
Maquiladoras are foreign-owned factories that have come to Mexico for its cheap labor and then export the goods to other countries. Mexico has had a large decline in wages since the beginning of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). About 1.3 million people turn to Tijuana's maquiladoras to find jobs.
The factories produce televisions, electrical cables, toys, clothes, batteries, and IV tubes. The factory workers make $6 a day and are exposed to toxic chemicals.
Junior Katrina Siladi traveled with the Guilford group Witness for Peace to Oaxaca, Mexico, to learn about free trade.
"The people that we met had an understanding that their lives are being adversely affected by free change," Siladi said. "Many people in the United States don't think about their effects of their purchases."
"Maquilapolis" talks about the neighborhoods Carmen and the other factory workers live in, which have no sewage lines or electricity. Carmen built a home for herself and her three children out of recycled garage doors. The home has no floors.
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