This film was pretty heartbreaking, even with the the positive outcome of the trial. One of the things that struck me the most was the unwavering determination of Lourdes and Carmen. Their determination in fighting for what they are entitled to, and their determination in the face of living in unlivable conditions. Live wires hissing in sewage water, lead and ash and chemicals and not being able to wash your clothes with the rest of your family due to contamination isn't humane. Their level, even tone when discussing their living and working conditions was so powerful and disheartening at once. They carried themselves with such strength throughout the film. I was glad that no one saw it necessary to fetishize the community's hardships, as documentaries often do. Just seeing the community living it was heartbreaking and effective. This really comes through when they are walking near the uncovered, abandoned factory. The air smells of chemicals and they are getting ash all over their hair and clothes. They walk and talk normally, even make jokes. To them it is normal, but seeing how the factories effected workers and the community in real time was gripping and poignant.
One of the tactics employed by the filmmakers that I found to be incredibly effective was that they seemed to be operating as the silent partner. Many documentaries hire a narrator and write a script around the events that they document. The filmmakers often appear on camera talking to their subjects or narrating events that have happened. This was the not the case in Maquilapolis. The filmmakers did not need to use their own voices to talk about the women's lives, they let the women tell them. Tell the camera. The voice that was speaking was the community's, which is so important especially considering the subject of this film. But the filmmakers did not have to shape the narrative; even when interviewing other members of the community it was always Carmen or Lourdes on camera asking them questions. The community was getting the opportunity to tell their truths, and shape the narrative around that. The fact that the majority of the documentary is talking heads, and "day in the life" type filming done by Lourdes and Carmen themselves really makes it clear to me the importance of this story coming from the community and not from the outside. As "The union should belong to the workers" the telling of this story should belong to those who are living it.
One of the tactics employed by the filmmakers that I found to be incredibly effective was that they seemed to be operating as the silent partner. Many documentaries hire a narrator and write a script around the events that they document. The filmmakers often appear on camera talking to their subjects or narrating events that have happened. This was the not the case in Maquilapolis. The filmmakers did not need to use their own voices to talk about the women's lives, they let the women tell them. Tell the camera. The voice that was speaking was the community's, which is so important especially considering the subject of this film. But the filmmakers did not have to shape the narrative; even when interviewing other members of the community it was always Carmen or Lourdes on camera asking them questions. The community was getting the opportunity to tell their truths, and shape the narrative around that. The fact that the majority of the documentary is talking heads, and "day in the life" type filming done by Lourdes and Carmen themselves really makes it clear to me the importance of this story coming from the community and not from the outside. As "The union should belong to the workers" the telling of this story should belong to those who are living it.
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