Five Factories

Economic Transformation in Venezuela

A penetrating look at the Bolivarian socio-economic project designed to challenge the dominant neo-liberal development model. Since the election of Hugo Chavez in 1998, the Venezuelan government has implemented reforms to transform the nation into what Chavez and his supporters refer to as a form of democratic socialism.

As a component of this economic transformation, the government has supported co-ownership initiatives in which workers' councils play a key role in company management. 5 Factories provides a unique perspective on the Bolivarian experiment, examining the successes and challenges of five companies rejecting traditional ideas of industrial management.

"The movie is artfully shot and poses important questions about the position of labor in capitalist society." - San Francisco Chronicle

"A rare glimpse at the development of a new labor movement in contemporary Venezuela. It puts to rest the idea of people simply following the dictate of a popular leader and instead demonstrates how workers are creatively pursuing new strategies and charting their own destiny." - Miguel Tinker Salas, Pomona College