Life and debt - trailer

[akumie2]

00:57 ..better future for the pure XD

Hail the white race, Jamaica seems to agree

[reel1840]

shock me again on the pay back.

[jenn1245pa]

I loved this...really opened my eyes

[conniewalker79]

What would America do if themajority of the nations had living standards in comparison and equal to them? Cant you see that it is not in this country's interest to make sure these nations "truly" get to where they should be? Coporate greed runs in America too...and worse in vunerable foreign nations. American, we, shouldnt be offened..corporate greed is not what our founding fathers fought and died for

[brian8793]

Why do black people riot so much? Why destroy your own stuff, it makes no sense.

Jamaica and South Africa were much better under white rule. Same with Zimbabwe and any other African nations. Liberal Americans and Europeans planted the idea of "absolute freedom," and this and that, and what has come of it?

Doesn't look like these people are too happy. Same goes for Africa. I think black people might have a problem with saving money.

Just like Cain in the Bible had a problem storing food

[heartsong09]

@brian8793 -- Such idiotic statements! All those countries today are still under "white rule," through foreign corporations undermining local agriculture and farmers. You're ignorant and need to actually watch the documentary before spouting such pure and utter narrow-minded racialist nonsensical BS.

[brian8793]

@heartsong09 I did watch the documentary. Jamaicains need to learn how to clean up their neighborhoods, because they look like shit. It doesn't take money to keep your neighborhood nice. My house isn't anything special, but I take pride in it and I keep it clean. I fix things when they break.

There's abandoned cars all over the place, trash all over the streets, and the people just sit around all day. What a fucking nightmare. LET'S BLAME THE U.S.!

NIGGA PLEASE...

[heartsong09]

@brian8793 --Obviously you're too damn stupid to comprehend anything. No one said "let's blame the U.S" as the IMF is comprised of the West and Western nations in general. Apparently, since you seem to think your morally decrepit country is the shining beacon of light on earth, everyone must be out to attack it unreasonably, (even if there is sufficient reason and evidence to be critical of the U.S.) BITCH PLEASE...

[brian8793]

@heartsong09 I don't even have a problem with Canada, and our Country IS morally bankrupt(not to mention 14 trillion dollars in debt). I just don't understand why people always have to "blame others." I was always raised to be responsible for my own actions.

Maybe I overreacted. I actually REALLY want these third world countries to change for the better, but they don't appear to be going about it the right way.

Peace, and sorry if I offended you...

[heartsong09]

@brian8793 -- Western nations have always subjugated poorer countries; I don't know why you refuse to acknowledge that! It isn't a case of "blaming others," it's a matter of these subjugators and greedy people being called out on THEIR actions. You have no problem accusing Jamaicans of absolving themselves of personal responsibility for the state of the country, but these organizations get a free pass? It's quite a struggle to make a move to "change for the better" when you're had by the throat

[brian8793]

@heartsong09 Bad things happen to good people all of the time. I understand that. The best thing anybody can do is make the best of what God has given them. Money doesn't bring happiness, family does.

I live in Arizona, and I have a lot of Native friends. Not one of them complains about what happened in the past. If you bring it up, they switch the subject. They don't want to hear about it because they're not looking back, they're looking forward.

[heartsong09]

@brian8793 -- What? no token "black friend"?... Look, you make an awful lot of presumptions about a people that you know nothing about beyond casual observation. Plenty of Jamaicans also 'look forward' and want change for their country as they become increasingly angry over government corruption and foreign meddling. I don't know how bringing up being taken advantage of means someone is complaining...

[brian8793]

@heartsong09 I'm from Los Angeles, and now I live in Tempe, Arizona. It's hard not to have friends of just about every race and ethnicity--and religion!

To all the Jamaicans who want to look to the future and change their condition, I salute them. With all due respect, maybe it is people like you constantly telling them that it's the "white man's" or "capitalisms" fault. This capitalistic country is the most charitable nation on earth. People are literally dying to get here...

[heartsong09]

@brian8793 -- I don't tell anyone that anything is the fault of anyone else. I've never used the word 'fault.' Economic injustices occur in developing nations, and while the perpetrators of said injustices are indeed often the "white man" -- that was not a connection I brought up...you did. Their ethnicity is of no consequence compared to the effects of their actions. Although you may believe the U.S. is "charitable," if you ask me, the U.S. has done more harm than good to the world.

[brian8793]

@heartsong09 Why are so many people moving here?

[heartsong09]

@brian8793 -- Perhaps to escape poverty, government corruption, or warfare in their home nations and because they are lured by the false idea of  the "American Dream."

[brian8793]

@heartsong09 Maybe they are moving here for our healthcare system. It is, as we all know, ranked higher than Canada's...

[heartsong09]

@brian8793 --No idea what rank you've been looking at. I'll take my universal healthcare any day, over America's, thanks...

[brian8793]

@heartsong09 I guess you guys save a lot of money because of your weak army. Oh well, your big brother to the south will protect you...

[heartsong09]

@brian8793 --Don't know what protection we'd need, as we're not the most hated nation in the world...

[brian8793]

@heartsong09 As many people as The U.S. allows to move here every year, do so, without exception. Sorry if I don't necassarily give much creedance to your claim.

Even Muslims are flocking here in the DROVES.

[martinez85]

@brian8793 For you to brag in times like these is funny, if not pathetic. The US is coming apart at the seams. Can't pay its debt, almost defaulting, the government shut down for a couple hours there, claiming it could not pay its military. How many economic crashes has it had recently? And you brag about military spending? That is politicians taking the citizens money, then giving it to their friends who own giant corporations to build jets and tanks that can then be used to...

[martinez85]

@brian8793 go out around the world and make sure that presidents of foreign nations are submissive to those same corporations. If not, they send in the tanks and jets to remove that president and install someone better suited. All the while the American people pay for this and die for this... for the interests of billionaires. Look at the history of the CIA and how many leaders they have gotten rid of one way or another. Or look into Smedley Butler, one of the most decorated marines ever.

[martinez85]

@brian8793 His quote, "I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class thug for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in" He goes on, but that is the reason your military exists.

[giiwed]

money is so stupid....think about it....instead of working at growing and gathering food we work to get pieces of paper to exchange for things we need like food water and shelter.....and then there are things that are nice to have but give us a determination to keep working for this money like electronics, trips, and other conveniences....it is an extremely unsustainable way to live....if people put the time they put into having a job into just finding food water and shelter, they would havealot

[akumie2]

@giiwed I agree 100%

I think the problem is if we were all farmers then many poor countries would complain they have x3+ people then land to grow food on instead that the poor countries actually tried to maybe have 1 child/family like China or improve so more land can grow more food

[simontimon2]

It's government dept that is the problem not private dept.

[oceanlove96]

@simontimon2 who pays the gov. debt? answer: the people.u must be white coming with such distraction

[simontimon2]

So you think that people with different colour, think differently.

How tolerant of you

[mrwallaby]

i saw this in a highschool class I think

[BlueJames19]

This is total propaganda, fuck this video.

[GGLebo23]

@BlueJames19 No it's not you idiot. It's the truth and nothing else. maybe you should try reading more before you write ignorant comments. I bet your not even from Jamaica.

[BlueJames19]

@GGLebo23 I never claimed to be. If you believe this pant load of BS then you are a total retard. No one is going to loan you money if they know you can't pay it back. Quit your whining and go get a job.

[GGLebo23]

@BlueJames19 This is not the only nation they have done this to.

[BlueJames19]

@GGLebo23 They don't have to DO anything. A private organization (such as a bank) can choose who they loan money to, simple as that. If you can't repay the money, you won't get a loan. There's nothing wrong with that. If Jamaica wants to improve itself then it needs to get its economy going without outside help, this is the nature of the free market system and capitalism.

[GGLebo23]

@BlueJames19 I agree they should do this w/o outside help. However, you shud look at some other videos on here about the IMF & World Bank. This happens not only in Latin America, but Africa & Asia also. Check these vids out.

World Bank Creating Poverty(BBC Newsnight)

watch?v=DrynBzUpyag&playnext_f­rom=TL&videos=zQRbJMw4iYQ

The New Rulers of the world

watch?v=8firb73r67g&playnext_f­rom=TL&videos=l_rDFG4S9fw

Ron Paul WB & Poverty Speech

watch?v=vQruuwuJnKE&feature=re­lated

[oceanlove96]

@BlueJames19 the best return is from those who cant afford to repay, you then take their land.especially if you always intended on robbing the people for their land to begin with.WORLDWIDE, PEOPLE HAVE CAUGHT ON,that is why you are on the chopping block 2 day, go anywhere you will be rewarded in kind as how u dealt with others.get it ..wink wink,choppin block, a little bit of 3rd world humor for u.vagina eater, u r what u eat

[lokitpiy]

They built too much road, too less railway. They bought too many cars and trucks, too less bycicles. In the movie, they drove pick up truck to pick up grocery. You don't see cow on the farmland. They drink hydrous ethanol product rather then turning it to fuel(starting to change recently). They borrowed loans for third-world countries and living large. Who to blame?

You need to go back in time 10~20 years ago and see how chinese and indians build their countries(or japan 50 years ago).

[lokitpiy]

4. Michael Manley & Dr. Michael Witter, NONO, we can't lower the currency rate, that will cost us more for importing FOOD and FUEL. (See who is the one screw up Jamaica? The Socialist Michael Manley, not only that, his policial party support violence gangs which drove away investors)

[lokitpiy]

Ya? explain to me.

There are few important messages in the movie.

1. Americans go to Jamaica for vacation, they spend money there. (Extra income)

2. Jamaica Farmers, imported food is too cheap, we can't completed with them.

3. IMF, you need to lower the currency rate to increase export. (also make imported food more expensive to local) Do you have any idea of how many countries didn't get a chance to lower their currency rate to increase export? countless including Japan and China.

[evelynraynor]

LOKITPIY, I think you should read Walter Rodney book, EXPLOITION THEORY, if you are smart you might learn something.

[lokitpiy]

I watched most part of the film, i say it is full of BS. Don't get me wrong, i really fell sorry for those poor guys in Jamaica. But to me, It looks more like a poor managed government trying to offload their internal pressure and responsibility by blaming foreign organizations/countries.

[henryyork]

i don't know how you could watch this and fail to see the blatant disconnect between what the imf officials say they are doing and what is actually happening. this is not jamaica's fault. the policies of the imf, worldbank, and so forth are designed to disenfranchise already struggling nations so that more cheap labor and resources can be fed into the global economy, instead of providing for the jamaicans themselves.

[johndennny]

lol u really dont understand

[warfatron]

Watched this in geography lesson today,

good film.

[sustainedXnoise]

More people should watch this.

[BootsyJ]

Netflix. Or if you you really "seek" it you can find it online.

[2pandora4]

Very good documentary. If people were more aware of where the items they purchase come from, the conditions workers endure, livelihoods lost because of greed...if they have any humanity they would make better choices. Being better, more demanding consumers might turn this around.

[oreolvrs]

ive uploaded this here on youtube

[Sekhmhotep]

Great movie! Many would find it offensive (Americans), or would argue that they should work harder, or that at least they have jobs, blah blah blah.

But the truth is that Jamaica is exploited just like any other nation the U.S. and the capitalist elite have their hands on. They are human beings that suffer, get hungry, feel pain, sorrow, joy, etc...they're not robots nor are they inferior. This is sad!

Love and peace to Jamaica man!!!

[TheRealCritique]

@Sekhmhotep Hopefully enough Americans are getting exploited now that they are going to go after bankers where they live and play. S America is making progress getting away from Yanqui. Keep trying Jamaica, keep making bankers uncomfortable.

[simontimon2]

If there was a machine would make everything that people want and need, people like you would want to ban it because it would cause unemployment.

[cultofmao]

@Sekhmhotep Give them Political ideology, a Red flag and Kalashnakov and  let them free themselves from Capitalist exploitation.

[icwo]

Does anybody know where I can watch this documentary online?

[monabang]

Google has removed it from its video portal. You maybe able to find bits and pieces online if you query the title.

[cesarol911]

Netflix

[brukins]

It good that the authority on the IMF happens to the Prime Minister whose policies so imperiled his country that he went to IMF.

.... and BTW thanks for helping to stigmatize and destroy the garment after which many of those area girls were to prostitute themselves to find food.

[oceanlove96]

@brukins that was the plan 2 begin with. look at america and what they do over there

[evelynraynor]

ok ,USA& Canada don't buy banana from the Caribbean . USA don't want Europe to buy banana froM the CARIBBEAN , does USA produce banana on USA soil no, no,but usa big company produced banana in central America.

[evelynraynor]

unknownun, i know you don't understand the system that you live in. firstly ,jamaica is a wealthy country, blessed with the finest ore (that made (AL), which is baxite, in the 1970 the go'vt of jamaica builted a plant to produce aluminium, countries like canada , england,usa, ete stated that they will not buy it from us bitches. ONLY WANT RAW MATERIALS ,yes your company which product( AL) WOULD LOSE BILLIONS OF $ bad for you good for us .

[pointmade25]

Fuck IMF

[Subutubiata]

Chase dem crazy baldheads (IMF thief) outta our town..Jamaica, rise up. Jah Love will guide us to justice and freedom for all men.

[ihavedream]

life+Debt: great documentary. i encourage everyone to watch it. Does anyone know the the name of the background music? i really like it. LIFE + DEBT.

[Bilalmahmood26]

Life and Debt - Mutabaruka

[semferfi]

qoute..."The issue is to make Globilization work for the benefit of all. There will not be a good future for the rich if there's no prospect for a better future for the PURE"..for the PURE is correct not the POOR.

[unknownunknowns]

Wrong. POOR, not PURE. Look, the rich will gain from this due to lower prices of products it sells and the poor will gain because they make money so they can watch TV. Both classes will gain.

[oceanlove96]

@unknownunknowns u must b white, we r not american,white washing dont work over here

[unknownunknowns]

@oceanlove96 Actually, I'm more of a Pacific Island who believes in this.

[oceanlove96]

@semferfi realize what u happened 2 catch.

[g000ldsteen]

This is an AMAZING film. It will change the way you think about representation in literature/film, and the global economy.  I encourage you to watch the whole thing.

[nickvanzetti]

michael manley was a great leader. i have to watch this.peace all revolutionaries!!!

[DisturbedLion]

this movie and many other Jamaican classics are available at the (Disturbed Lion) website

[zuluzoom]

Its a shame that I can get so much crap over the internet for free but this I cant.I'm not saying that they should give it for free but its a pity; cause I'm in debt!-and i really wanted to watch this.

[elmontano]

does anyone know somewhere online that i can see the whole movie? i've seen it a bunch of times before, but I want to use it in a paper....

[blaaaaze]

Check my channel out I have the whole film on there.

[olephill2]

I've seen this documentary 4 times now, including twice in classes. One of the most important movies I've ever seen. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about the downsides of free trade and the IMF.

[unknownunknowns]

Downsides of free trade? Look had it not been for free trade you would not drive a cheap, quality Toyota-if you drive one. I know that the IMF told Jamaica to lower its currency to get more trade and tourists=more revenue. BTW, where was the interviews from Jamaican themselves?

[olephill2]

They did have Jamaicans interviewed in the film. Just because you don't pay attention doesn't mean they weren't there. Secondly, you speak in absolutes. Never did I say free trade was totally bad. But to argue that it doesn't have negative externalities that screws over a lot of people in the 3rd world is just ludicrous.

Your point about driving a Toyota is invalid anyway since the whole argument of the movie is that free trade policies hurt the 3rd world, not the U.S. Pay Attention!

[unknownunknowns]

OK, I guess I'm wrong. I'm trying to figure out then what's the solution? How do we help the Jamaicans because it seems all I know is that free trade, in most cases, does help?

[veganhusband]

Insist of buying only fair trade bananas or no bananas at all. The people who control the World Bank and the IMF want Jamaica to relax it's labor standards so it'll be just like every other western tropical nation. Until they do that or they see substantial losses on their "free trade" markets, they are not going to allow Jamaica to sell Bananas to the US and that keeps them in debt.

[unknownunknowns]

"Insist of buying only fair trade bananas or no bananas at all."

What do you mean by "fair trade"?

[Xephon212]

Socialist revolution. Redistribution of wealth, and the means of production in the hands of all.

[unknownunknowns]

Are you sure you want to do that? Redistribution of wealth? So you're going to give that wealth to people who don't deserve it, right? Not only is it socialist but it's approaching to communism.

[spamin8r]

Not only that, it fails every single time it's tried.

[kristy116]

This was so eye opening when we watched it in class! I recommend everyone see this movie- it's incredible!

[sbsp0]

I didn't mean I'm afraid,I've always wanted to visit Jamaica,and I hope I will one day. This movie upsets me,because they show how some things had to be changed just to satisfy the careless tourists and noone asks the Jamaican people if they agree with the way foreigners take advantage of their country...

[ashane77]

Saw this movie, it illustrates something I've tried to tell people about for YEARS--the complete illegitimacy and moral bankruptcy of ALL int'l orgs such as this one.

[unknownunknowns]

So what is your SOLUTION to this crisis?

[sbsp0]

After I watched this movie I don't want to visit Jamaica as one of those tourists anymore...Very good and important movie, I think

[Bl3ssing]

You SHOULD visit Jamaica. There's nothing to be afraid of. They are just showing the roots of the violence, corruption, drugs, and national debt was because of the U.S. I'm Jamaican and proud of it. This documentary is definetly a must see.

[unknownunknowns]

So why was Jamaica in debt, then? Where were they spending their money?

[Bl3ssing]

(This is hardly scratching the surface. It is way more complex) After Jamaica gained independence from England and the currency changed from pounds and shillings to the Jamaican dollar-which is worthless next to the pound. England and the U.S. made sure to dig their claws into the economy and the IMF (International Monetary Fund) loaned Jamaica money at very high interest rates.

[Bl3ssing]

This ensures that with every generation the debt increases and the country's ability to rrepay decreases. ETC ETC ETC...WATCH THE MOVIE.

[unknownunknowns]

So what do you think the solution should be?

[Bl3ssing]

I think Jamaica should (of course this is not a word) un-americanize itself and gain real independence. We should become more self-determining and stop being subservient. Stop exporting huge portions of our goods and stop importing american goods...especially the sstuff we already have readily available n the island.

[unknownunknowns]

So you don't like free trade for Jamaica? Aren't you benefiting free trade from your home country? Hey, it brings REVENUE(tourism), gives them jobs, and cheaper products (food), and you want them to give up all of that? BTW, I don't remember seeing what the native Jamaicans thought, which will determine how the country really is.

[UmmZeez]

you dont remember seeing what the native jamaicans thought? did you even watch the movie?

[Bl3ssing]

Stop borrowing money, raise the minimum wage, make education "free"-as in-pay for schooling through taxes instead of through school fees. Make it manditory to graduate from high school. Have a health care system like here in Canada.

[unknownunknowns]

Raise the min. wage? Great but this will lead to more unemployment, like in Europe, b/c companies will not have enough money for workers at a higher wage. There is no free lunch when it comes to free schooling due to income taxes. I believe you have to wait longer than the US to get a doctor. Yes, it's a financial pain but a health gain.

[UmmZeez]

sounds like you are repeating certain rhetoric which tries to prop up and justify the way America operates its health care system... Its quite unnerving when you hear... "yes we charge you out the ears for healthcare, but at least you dont have to wait long!".... i challenge that notion! go to a hospital in a MAJOR US CITY, or in a POOR neighborhood.... pack a lunch and a change of underwear....

[unknownunknowns]

OK, challenge me, then. But, when it comes to health care, we should concerns ourselves more on supplying this service at an increasing rate of production than making it for free. If you have the supply, you're more guaranteed.

[babekae]

you think its easy? try watching the whole doc and then give your opinion.

[Bl3ssing]

I've seen it 3 times already. I still stand by what I said...and then some.

[Bl3ssing]

Encourage young people to go into farming-the most important industry period. Build more schools and hospitals and create more opportunities for the people of the island. Build a toilet for every home on the island...you'd be surprised. Clean up the neighbourhoods that are falling apart. And curb young peole from violence throguh sports, arts, and music programs and bring boys and girls clubs to the island..if not already there. ETC ETC...watch the movie.

[unknownunknowns]

I agree with everything you say but the natives mainly, not us, have to do it themselves so they won't abuse them. Speaking of which, I find that all of the foreign aid we give to Africa for decades does not really benefit them b/c their govs. selfishly hoard it and, more importantly, it gives the locals to do it themselves. The solution is free trade of goods and LABOR.

[Kakarat100]

I am a college student, i am from JA, this is really sad. what the US did to us. But we are to be blame for becoming independent tooo early and not satifing with what we have.

[Bl3ssing]

Very true...we need to change our attitudes, thta will have the greatest impact on our country. We need to support ourselves and each other. Insted of building up Canada, America, and England we need to build up Jamaica.

[unknownunknowns]

I can understand that we need to build up Jamaica but you don't want to advance your own country? Anyway, if we're going to do that, we should TRADE, NOT AID because if we just give, give, give, then it's not going to learn. Let them learn themselves.

[Bl3ssing]

Canada wouldn't die without me. What I mean is all the advancements we have done here we NEED to do there. It's not about giving people things. It's about creating opportunities for ourselves and the people of Jamaica. As well as give to those who desperately need it. Teaching each other to be self-sufficient. God helps those who help themselves. We need to come together and build, make ourselves free by working towards a goal.

[unknownunknowns]

Hey, we Americans gave you plenty of tourism money. BTW, where was the Jamaicans' side b/c I just heard complaints from foreigners.

[jirenma2001us]

Greatest documentary I've ever watched. Shows how the IMF

and World Bank take advantage of the countries that need help. RIP Michael Manley