Fresh
Powerfully illustrates what globalization has been doing to underdeveloped countries around the world.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Free account saves your watchlist and ratings.
Life and Debt
Overview
Life and Debt is a 2001 American documentary film that examines the economic and social situation in Jamaica, and specifically how the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank's structural adjustment policies have impacted the island.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
90%
Tomatometer
Fresh
This case study of globalization's effects on Jamaica is a timely, never dull piece of agitprop that comes off as a cross between Godard's social protest docs and The Harder They Come.
Ed Rampell, Variety
Rotten
Talking heads are intercut to synthesise theory and practice, but as an economic diatribe this is a bit patronising and not wholly persuasive.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Fresh
It's mostly persuasive in the position it argues.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Fresh
... after viewing Life and Debt, the audience's way of seeing things has been quietly and powerfully changed.
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
More films
My Perestroika (2010)
Documentary · History · Not Rated
Tells the story of five people from the last generation of Soviet children who were brought up behind the Iron Curtain. Just coming of age when the USSR collapsed, they witnessed the world of their childhood crumble and change beyond recognition. Through the lives of these former schoolmates, this intimate film reveals how they have ad...
- Runtime
- 1h 28m
- Director
- Robin Hessman
IMDb
7.2
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
Metacritic
90
Snow (1963)
Documentary · N/A
Comprising train and track footage quickly shot just before a heavy winter's snowfall was melting, the multi-award-winning classic that emerged from the cutting-room compresses British Rail's dedication to blizzard-battling into a thrilling eight-minute montage cut to music. Tough-as-boots workers struggling to keep the line clear are ...
- Runtime
- 8m
- Director
- Geoffrey Jones
IMDb
7.0
Rail (1967)
Documentary · N/A
"Rail" captures British Railways at a major turning-point in its history. In certain respects, this was a period of considerable upheaval and loss. There was a facing-up to the increasing need for a big modernisation drive. Full and speedy electrification, or the wider promotion of diesel-power on remaining lines, became a matter of to...
- Runtime
- 14m
- Director
- Geoffrey Jones
IMDb
7.4
Locomotion (1975)
Documentary · N/A
Collage film about the history of trains set to music.
- Runtime
- 16m
- Director
- Geoffrey Jones
IMDb
7.2
Shell Spirit (1963)
N/A
Directed by Geoffrey Jones.
- Runtime
- 2m
- Director
- Geoffrey Jones
IMDb
6.8
Comments
Talk about the film with other members