Life and Debt (Jamaica Documentary)

⁣"Life and Debt" is a 2001 documentary directed by Stephanie Black. The film explores the economic and social challenges faced by Jamaica in the wake of globalization, focusing particularly on the impact of policies imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
The documentary is based on the essay "A Small Place" by Jamaica Kincaid and features commentary from former Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley. It highlights how structural adjustment policies, which include trade liberalization, privatization, and deregulation, have led to significant economic difficulties for Jamaica. These policies have resulted in the destruction of local industries, such as dairy and banana farming, and have turned Jamaica into a market for subsidized foreign goods.
The film also examines the establishment of "free zones" in Jamaica, where workers are paid low wages to assemble goods for export, often under poor working conditions1. Through interviews and on-the-ground footage, "Life and Debt" provides a critical look at how international financial policies can affect developing nations.