Asia Media reviews a recent documentary “Mardi Gras: Made in China“:
At its core, Mardi Gras is about the production of pleasure in the global economy. It clashes American excess and consumerism with the hardships of factory workers in China. This provocative documentary from first-time directory David Redmon investigates the working conditions of the mostly female employees at Tai Kuen, which produces the party necklaces. The film devotes much footage displaying the oppressive working conditions of the factory. However, Mardi Gras is much more than an exposé on the plight of Chinese workers. The film takes the idea further to show the various perspectives surrounding the bead necklaces. There is little to no narration as the filmmakers allow candid interviews to reveal how Mardi Gras partygoers, the owner of Tai Kuen, and the workers in the factory all relate to the strange little commodity. The result is a compelling picture of the curious relationships the beads have created within the global economy. [Full text]
A trailer for the film can be viewed on Google Video.