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Made in Ethiopia

Play trailer Made in Ethiopia 2024 1h 31m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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When a massive Chinese industrial park lands in rural Ethiopia, a dusty farming town finds itself at the new frontier of globalization. The sprawling factory complex's formidable Chinese director Motto now needs every bit of mettle and charm she can muster to push through a high-stakes expansion that promises 30,000 new jobs. Ethiopian farmer Workinesh and factory worker Beti have staked their futures on the prosperity the park promises. But as initial hope meets painful realities, they find themselves, like their country, at a pivotal crossroads. Filmed over four years with singular access, Made in Ethiopia lifts the curtain on China's historic but misunderstood impact on Africa, and explores contemporary Ethiopia at a moment of profound crisis. The film throws audiences into two colliding worlds: an industrial juggernaut fueled by profit and progress, and a vanishing countryside where life is still measured by the cycle of the seasons. And its nuance, complexity and multi-perspective approach go beyond black and white narratives of victims and villains. As the three women's stories unfold, Made in Ethiopia challenges us to rethink the relationship between tradition and modernity, growth and welfare, the development of a country and the well-being of its people.

Critics Reviews

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Danny Leigh Financial Times The film can be a victim of oversupply: Ma is such an outsize personality that she dominates the story, a metaphor for the lopsided power dynamic between the players. Rated: 4/5 Dec 7, 2024 Full Review Cath Clarke Guardian This makes for knotty viewing, with no messages that slip down easily. Rated: 3/5 Nov 26, 2024 Full Review Murtada Elfadl Variety Despite an imbalance in perspectives, “Made in Ethiopia” ends up presenting a compelling narrative about how Chinese influence in Ethiopia impacts both expats and native people. Jun 10, 2024 Full Review Alan French Sunshine State Cineplex Made in Ethiopia strikes a cord and features some brilliant cinematography. It’s quite an important story in 2024, as colonial power reestablishes itself with a new world order. Rated: 8/10 Jun 7, 2024 Full Review Stephen Saito Moveable Fest “Made in Ethiopia” richly captures an entire landscape of a nation in flux. Jun 7, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

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Made in Ethiopia

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Movie Info

Synopsis When a massive Chinese industrial park lands in rural Ethiopia, a dusty farming town finds itself at the new frontier of globalization. The sprawling factory complex's formidable Chinese director Motto now needs every bit of mettle and charm she can muster to push through a high-stakes expansion that promises 30,000 new jobs. Ethiopian farmer Workinesh and factory worker Beti have staked their futures on the prosperity the park promises. But as initial hope meets painful realities, they find themselves, like their country, at a pivotal crossroads. Filmed over four years with singular access, Made in Ethiopia lifts the curtain on China's historic but misunderstood impact on Africa, and explores contemporary Ethiopia at a moment of profound crisis. The film throws audiences into two colliding worlds: an industrial juggernaut fueled by profit and progress, and a vanishing countryside where life is still measured by the cycle of the seasons. And its nuance, complexity and multi-perspective approach go beyond black and white narratives of victims and villains. As the three women's stories unfold, Made in Ethiopia challenges us to rethink the relationship between tradition and modernity, growth and welfare, the development of a country and the well-being of its people.
Director
Xinyan Yu, Max Duncan
Producer
Tamara Mariam Dawit, Xinyan Yu, Max Duncan
Screenwriter
Max Duncan, Xinyan Yu
Production Co
Hard Truth Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Amharic
Runtime
1h 31m