Maquilapolis: A City of Factories
Just over the border in Mexico is an area peppered with maquiladoras: massive sweatshops often owned by the world’s largest multinational corporations. Carmen and Lourdes work at maquiladoras in Tijuana, and it is there that they try to balance the struggle for survival with their own radicalization in this documentary.
2006
Directed by Vicky Funari and Sergio de la Torre
My Letterboxd Review:
Every Econ class I ever took came with the same sermon: professors praising NAFTA like it was some divine gift from the invisible hand, and whining about how “amazing” free trade is. NAFTA - or North American Free Trade Agreement signed in by immoral leaders(Clinton) allowed the ability to trade goods at a cheaper cost to consumers in North America.
It allowed the ability to outsource a cheaper work force without having to pay a higher tax for import goods. It also allowed companies to build in areas to bypass certain regulations and restrictions to protect workers and communities.
Meanwhile, out in the real world, capitalism was doing what capitalism does best - chasing cheap labor, gutting communities, and leaving someone else to mop up the toxic sludge.
They didn’t just build factories along the Juárez border; they built an entire business model on exploiting Mexican workers for pennies and shrugging at the environmental fallout. When the profits dried up, the companies bailed, leaving behind poisoned soil, polluted water, and neighborhoods forced to live in the wreckage. And the kicker? They’re still doing it. Still squeezing labor. Still dodging responsibility. Still treating human beings like disposable inputs on a spreadsheet.
So yeah — thanks, capitalism, for being exactly as disappointing as advertised. Behind every shiny piece of technology is an exploited worker hunched over a table, assembling the future for a wage and life they deserve more for.
Even as I type this review I know the hands that had to suffer to mine Colbalt for iPhones. Ya’ll should go read that book. Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives.
Can we please have a global conversation and awakening of how we use our resources on this planet. I’m literally begging us.
P.s. if I ever hear another white man say “not all labor is skilled labor” I’m going to start swinging. All labor is skilled. You must be a skilled laborer to do any job and any experience you gain will make you a better worker at that job. We all learn the skills of reading, writing, walking, and working. You know - you don’t have to be stupid AND cruel. You can be stupid - I LOVE stupid. Just don’t be cruel too.
This was made 18 years ago -Women go missing here too.
-Madeline
Last updated: Aug 25, 2026
