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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 23 august 2019

Film on factory is first Netflix project endorsed by Obamas

By DAVID BAUDER the right to unionize.
Associated Press In one of the last scenes,
NEW YORK (AP) — A docu- an employee gives Cao
mentary about an Ohio a tour of the factory floor
auto glass factory that is and boasts about how au-
run by a Chinese investor tomation provides Fuyao
debuted Wednesday on with the opportunity to fire
Netflix as the streaming ser- workers.
vice’s first project backed The name of the Obamas’
by Michelle and Barack company, Higher Ground,
Obama’s new production flashes by in the opening
company. credits, but the Obamas
Filmmakers Steven Bognar themselves aren’t men-
and Julia Reichert said they tioned anywhere. Neither is
learned of the Obamas’ President Donald Trump.
interest after “American Netflix worked in partner-
Factory” was shown at the ship with Higher Ground to
Sundance film festival and acquire the film from Par-
they were pitching the film ticipant Media earlier this
to Netflix. They were told year, and gave no details
the Obamas had screened about the financing. Net-
it days earlier. flix released a brief clip
They’re ecstatic about the Wednesday of the Obam-
support, and in an interview as discussing their interest
Wednesday were quick to in the project with the film-
dissuade anyone from the makers.
idea that the film is deliver- In this Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019 file photo, Bobby Allen, from top left, director Steven Bognar, Jill La- “One of the many things
mantia, Wong He, director Julia Reichert, bottom left, and producer Yiqian Zhang pose for a por-
ing a message either for or trait to promote the film “American Factory” at the Salesforce Music Lodge during the Sundance I love about this film ... is
against any politician. Film Festival, in Park City, Utah. that you let people tell their
“They got what we were try- Associated Press own story,” the former first
ing to do, which is to tell a about the rights of work- gers. Many Chinese at the rod Brown for suggesting lady said. “’American Fac-
story that sort of transcends ers, globalization and au- plant consider the Ameri- that the Chinese owner be tory’ doesn’t come in with
the year-to-year politics,” tomation. The Fuyao plant, cans lazy. The Americans open to running a union a perspective. It’s not an
Bognar said. bought by Chinese industri- at the plant question what shop. Two years later, af- editorial. I mean, you truly
Bognar and Julia Reichert, alist Cao Dewang, employs they see as Chinese work- ter he’s been fired, Burrows let people speak for them-
who live in the Dayton, some 2,200 American and ers unquestioned devotion drives by the factory and selves, and that is a power-
Ohio, area where Fuyao 200 Chinese workers. The to a company that robs bitterly notes that you can’t ful thing that you don’t al-
Glass replaced an aban- film gives a close-up look at them of time to enjoy life. spell Fuyao without an “f’’ ways see happen.”
doned General Motors how the cultures adjust to At the factory’s opening and “u.” Former President Obama
plant, said they were ini- one another. At one point, ceremony, Dave Burrows, Tensions rise when the fac- said that they want people
tially interested in explor- a Chinese worker explains the vice president of the tory doesn’t initially meet to look outside of their own
ing a culture clash, but the that Americans are slow American factory, privately production goals, culmi- experiences to understand
film deepened into a story because they have fat fin- curses out Ohio Sen. Sher- nating in a bitter fight over the lives of others.q

Redd Kross knead fun into high-energy power pop

By PABLO GORONDI sion statement is clear: “The party is groovy
Associated Press and everyone loses control.” That’s followed
Redd Kross, “Beyond The Door” (Merge Re- by “Fighting,” which mentions K-pop, South
cords) Korea’s own musical genre, and is more ener-
Redd Kross continue to swing their pendulum getic than violent.
widely and wildly between punk roots and The title track references the Velvet Under-
power pop on “Beyond The Door,” their latest ground’s Nico while linking a Martin Scors-
album arriving after seven lean years in terms ese film and Alice Cooper. The younger and
of new recordings, but rich with live dates sometimes less-prolific Steven appears to pay
and reissues. Brothers Jeff and Steven Mc- tribute to a rebellious offspring on “There’s No
Donald have been in bands together for over One Like You” and his bass playing cracks the
four decades and the method to their mad- pinata wide open on the rocking “The Party
ness/genius has barely changed — plenty of Underground,” as joyous as the B-52’s “Love
groovy melodies atop loud guitars, abundant Shack” but with nods to Mott the Hoople/Da-
pop culture references that could fill their own vid Bowie, Voltaire and molasses.
“Jeopardy” category, high doses of merri- Jeff’s “What’s a Boy to Do” is power pop heav-
ment and an unfair flair for being a quarter- or en, as is the closing cover of a tune by another
half note out of step with the prevalent trends. band led by California siblings, Sparks’ “When
No matter. With guitarist Jason Shapiro and Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way.’” This photo provided by Merge Records shows the
Dale Crover on drums expertly completing the Those elated by Redd Kross’ unexpected 2012 album cover of Redd Kross “Beyond The Door by
lineup, the album blasts off with “The Party.” return with “Researching The Blues” will find Merge Records.
It’s from the soundtrack of the hilarious 1968 that the quality remains high on the timeless Associated Press
Blake Edwards-Peter Sellers film and the mis- “Beyond The Door.”q