Payback

Payback

I was totally enthralled with this documentary based on writings by Margaret Atwood. The theme is debt and the film goes into many aspects of this fascinating topic.
Jennifer Baichwal has done a magnificent job in directing the film.
Margaret Atwood is seen throughout the film as she reads from her book Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth.
I was intrigued with the comments made by Conrad Black. I heard laughter in the audience. I must also confess that his ‘gobbly gook’ language was hard to understand. He speaks eloquently but the language was so highbrow it was a joke. The irony is that the man is currently in jail but was speaking from the luxurious surroundings of his home.
Several scenarios are developed to represent the theme.
I was most taken with the story of the Albanian farmer and the justice forced on him by a neighbor. There had been a confrontation between the farmer and his neighbor. His neighbor forced justice (or was it vengeance) on the farmer by enclosing his property with barbed wire. He was ordered to stay within the boundaries of his property. If he dared to leave he would be shot. The farmer had a large family. They were all feeling the results of this harsh situation. The farmer only wanted peace and to be able to leave. The neighbor had a smirk on his face and would not relent. I admit to feeling hatred for the neighbor. It brought to mind the horrible honor killings that have been in the news recently. I also thought of the documentary, Face, which recently won an Oscar. It portrays the horrific story of women sprayed with acid by their family members.
The tomato pickers in Florida were another case. It is difficult work for a low wage. Many are exploited. We are asked how we feel when we eat a tomato salad. Truthfully I had not considered the issue before.
The language of payback was so interesting. How often we hear,” You will pay for that” Margaret Atwood mentioned our comments on weather. When it is a nice day we tend to say,” We will pay for it.”
There was humor and also much pathos. It was a thoughtfully produced documentary. I learned a lot. I was intrigued and loved the film.