Search - Life And Debt on DVD

An inconvenient truth?

Romualdo Monteclar | hanover, pa | 04/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When a poor, developing country, like Jamaica, (the subject of this daring documentary) borrows money from western banks to finance her infra-structures and other projects, she normally has the good intention to pay back the loans via her natural resources and various trades. However, bad things happen (such as mismanagement or corruption within or whatever) that eventually incapacitate that country to repay the huge loans. So now, enter the supposed saviors (World Bank/IMF)...and that's when push comes to shove? How and why? Well, come and see this incisive documentary to gain some enlightening ideas-- and perhaps develop a few fair, compassionate views."

A damning portrait

WalktheWorld | A warm place in Asia | 03/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just watched it. To get a $50,000,000 loan, Jamaica had to agree to relinquish the right to control imports in any way. So American powdered milk subsidized 137% undercuts fresh milk produced in Jamaica(even though powdered milk is more expensive to produce), destroying the dairy industry. How could politicians agree to something like that? Were they in somebody's pocket? Was the country that desperate? The film doesn't shed much light on that aspect, focusing instead on the results these agreements have on ordinary (poor) Jamaicans. But it's well worth seeing. Many ordinary people appear on film and the impact is palpable. It's a bit heavy handed on the filming of the tourists but it's effective.
BTW - if you like reggae the soundtrack is fantastic and made me realize that they are really singing about their lives."