"Exciting...captures the spirit of Argentina's grassroots response to economic meltdown." Ben Dangl, author, The Price of Fire: Resource Wars and Social Movements in Bolivia

From the producers of Argentina: Hope in Hard Times, comes a new film that re-visits worker-run factories, and talks with journalists, economists, and unemployed workers. ARGENTINA: TURNING AROUND provides an intimate view of the new models of work, politics and community development that are now underway, as people re-invent their society to offer a better life for all.

Other films by Mark Dworkin and Melissa young are We Are Not Ghosts, Good Food, Argentina: Hope in Hard Times, Net Loss, Another World is Possible, Not for Sale, Gene Blues, Islas Hermanas and Risky Business.



Grade Level: 9-12, College, Adult
US Release Date: 2008     Copyright Date: 2008
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-697-7     VHS ISBN: 1-59458-696-9

Reviews "Combining colorful footage of the experiences of ordinary Argentines with insightful interviews of Argentine professors, journalists and civil society leaders, this film provides a comprehensive and timely follow-up to the experimentation and empowerment that arose out of Argentina's recent crises. It is a valuable resource for educators and activists alike." Dr. Robert Andolina, International Studies, Seattle University "This film takes us into the society that is actively trying to find solutions to the neo-liberal policies advanced by the US Government, the International Monetary Fund, and many economists around the world." Kim Scipes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Sociology, Purdue University North Central "It is a sobering film. It made me think about how much time, hope, imagination, creativity, and cooperation are needed to build a new society, the many diverse skills required, the pivotal role of artists as well as mechanics, the importance of process, the support both of those on high and those on the bottom." Grace Lee Boggs, James and Grace Lee Boggs Center, Detroit "A useful resource for students of economics and globalization as well of the Americas and Argentina in particular." Danny Millum, Institute for the Study of the Americas, University of London "This exciting film captures the spirit of Argentina's grassroots response to economic meltdown. Drawing from diverse interviews and incredible footage, the film offers an inside look at the victories and challenges of Argentina's neighborhood assemblies, protest movements and worker-run factories. Argentina: Turning Around skillfully transmits the country's courageous examples of social change." Ben Dangl, author, The Price of Fire: Resource Wars and Social Movements in Bolivia "A marvelous insight into the experiences of the pickets and recovered factories in Argentina after the crisis of 2001, showing how Argentina has successfully charted an alternative course, built on the struggles of millions of ordinary people who did not just sit back and take the neoliberal medicine. The value of the film is that it shows how the 'Argentinazo' of December 2001 was not just a one-off event, but spawned wider movement showing that another economy, built on solidarity and community, is possible." Peter North, Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom "Ideal for social or Latin American studies classes, Argentina: Turning Around is a fascinating glimpse into the Argentina's increasingly bright future." The Midwest Book Review "A lovely immersion in the ongoing struggles in Argentina." Sarah Van Gelder, Executive Editor, YES! Magazine "A gem of a film whose heart is with the workers and poor of Argentina. Argentina:Turning Around takes us onto the shop floor of worker-run factories and into the barrios where the unemployed are organizing schools, kitchens and work." Jerry Harris, Secretary, Global Studies Association "Argentina:Turning Around is a remarkable story of how a crisis in today's global society can provide an opening for new models of work, production, politics, ownership, and human and community development." Dan Swinney, North American Network for Solidarity Economy "The unemployed workers movement and the recuperated factories in Argentina show us an alternative path of economic recuperation and Argentina: Turning Around accurately captures this experience without romanticizing the challenge that Argentineans are still facing." Dr. Delia Marx, Argentinean and Global Exchange Reality Tour leader to Argentina "Inspiring and timely...Turning Around undertakes the rare and important - yet too often neglected - task of revisiting and re-examining social change once the headlines have faded. This well crafted film captures the hard won insight and wisdom of the workers, business managers, movement leaders, academics and journalists who have lived and led Argentina's struggle to challenge the dominant economic development paradigm. In many cases, what began as informal experiments, born out of necessity or desperation, have evolved into thriving new people-centric models of business, agriculture, education and community building. Turning Around captures Argentina's modern story of hope, struggle, consciousness and transformation and is a 'must see' for changemakers everywhere." Tanya Dawkins, Founder, Director, Global-Local Links Project, Florida "Underscores the potentially negative effects of globalization on fragile economies.....Recommended for larger Latin American and global economic collections." Video Librarian "Highly Recommended. An inspiration to all who seek to begin and carry out grass root movements of all kinds! This documentary is a must see for all who are seeking to learn more about the role of capitalism and development of society, especially the role of workers in a capitalistic setting...The documentary readily sponsors that when government fails the people can provide an adequate and productive response by taking control of their own destiny." Malcolm L. Rigsby, Ouachita Baptist University, Educational Reviews Online "Many films should be made about the efforts to build and sustain co-operative factories...Appropriate for undergraduate courses on Latin America, economic globalization or social movements." Avram Bornstein, City University of New York, Anthropology Review Database "An exciting film which captures the spirit of Argentina's grassroots response to economic meltdown...Skillfully transmits the country's courageous examples of social change." Benjamin Dangl, Truthout, Toward Freedom