American Factory

​Over the weekend, I watched a fantastic Netflix documentary - "American Factory."  

The story of Chinese billionaire Cao Dewang that in 2016 started its first American division of Fuyao - the giant global auto-glass producing organization, not too far from Pittsburgh, in the former General Motor - GM factory in Dayton, Ohio.    

GM closedown the Dayton plant due to collapsing SUV sales, in 2008 while the US was going through the financial crisis.  The plant was named GM Moraine Assembly Plant; and its closure forced thousands out of work, during the same time that the Federal government launched its massive bailout of the auto sector.

The GM's Dayton factory remained abandoned until Cao Dewang announced that his company was taking it over, investing millions of dollars and hiring hundreds of local Ohio workers.  

"American Factory," tells the tale of the plant and its new Fuyao operations.  I found the description of the documentary rather complex, provoking, timely, and elegantly created,  crossing between China and America as it gazes at the past, present, and likely future of American labor and even Chinese labor.   By the way, this is the first movie that Barack and Michelle Obama's company - Higher Ground Productions has released on Netflix.  

The film begins with a brief, glance back at the plant's closure that sketches in the past and implies even the difficult times ahead.   It starts in 2015 between the optimistic bustle of new beginnings - Fuyao presentation for Dayton area job seekers and capturing a range of emotions in the big room, and Fuyao representative was delivering his pitch for the new plant and employment opportunities.   By the way, this is is how Fuyao Glass America got off the ground in the film. 

It was simply amazing; the optimism of the workers was unmistakable.  It took several years to make this engaging documentary.  It is visible as a commitment that is evident in the film's layered account and the trust the filmmakers earned among the factory workers.    It was terrific how Americans and visiting Chinese workers alike opened their homes and hearts to the camera.  Stories of love, separation from family, work, commitment, hope, lack of it and many others in an emotionally and politically dynamic narrative of capitalism, propaganda, contrasting values, and labor rights and cultures. 

In the course of the story, and as the plant ramps up, optimism gives way to unease, disagreement, and anxiety.  Some workers are hurt, others face danger; glass breaks, and tempers fray.  Chinese and American plant executives and managers complain about production and particularly about the American workers who, in turn, seem mainly grateful for a new chance.  But over time, many of these local Dayton workers struggle with the Company's demands. 

The story also takes us to China for a visit to Fuyao's headquarter by several of its American managers.  It was evident that Fuyao's American subsidiary was losing money, and Mr. Cao, or as he's called Mr. Chairman in the film or Chairman Cao was not really happy about it.   His frustration and how he portrayed it was considered unusual as you'll see in the film.  As Mr. Cao's dissatisfaction mounts, the temperature grows colder, and management appears to become openly hostile.    For those of us that have not been inside a Chinese factory - like me - these scenes of Fuyao HQ - with the discipline, team-building exercises and gung-ho style of modern management style are very eye-opening. 

"American Factory"  really struck a chord for me.  It is political without being preachy or even offensive.  The story did a fabulous job connecting the sociopolitical dots brilliantly.  Not to mention the documentary didn't insult anyone.  It also left me with so many emotions and questions, as American and Chinese men and women - whose enthusiasm and disappointments give the story its emotional theme.

One of my favorite parts of the documentary was toward the end when Mr. Cao recalls that the Chian of his youth was poor:  now he is according to Forbes Magazine, one of China's richest and his hobbies - very much like other billionaires include golf and collecting art.  The Chairman's self-reflective monologue was merely fantastic and thought-provoking.

"American Factory" is a profoundly empathetic documentary, one that's able to provide a holistic look at an organization while still make a larger argument about capitalism, politics, America, China, love, family, hope, dream, and so much more. 

I hope you watch this documentary.