The True Cost | Netflix Documentary/Film Review
- Millie Fisher
- Feb 6, 2018
- 3 min read
I was recommended to watch 'The True Cost' by my university as a part of my two weeks 'reading week'. Of course i was more enthusiastic to watch this instead of reading the books that were also compulsory! I am a huge film lover and watching tv is a bad habit of mine (especially rubbish tv like KUWTK). I was intrigued to watch this because i knew it would be very formative and eye opening- just by watching the trailer.
Theres a whole world behind the glamour and the glitz of the fashion industry. This parallel world presents an untold story. I was very sceptical to explore the secrets behind fashion, because i didn't want to be put off of my love for fabrics, colours, style, self expression and the way i looked at each of these elements.
Fast fashion means that more products can be shifted, and in high street stores it means new clothing can come into store every week. It does make you think, the people making these clothes in factories but be working to hard and so fast in order to facilitate our needs.
Not even 10 minutes into the documentary i was brought to tears because people had literally died in the collapse of a fashion factory. More than 1 thousand people died in a horrendous clothing factory disaster. Bangladesh workers were forced back into unsafe buildings. Its not even a surprise that they went back into the building because these workers are being paid under 2 pounds a shift. It confuses me how an industry that generates so much money can't afford to keep their workers safe and secure. In my opinion there MUST be something wrong in this industry that people have to die to make clothing for people other than themselves.
What really pissed me off when watching this documentary was that a lady was asked if it bothers her that individuals and children are working in a sweaty 'sweat shop' factory to create clothing for Americans and Europeans.. etc.. HER REPLY: NO?? No it does not bother her 'because its a job, there is worse things they could be doing'. How stuck up and rude can you get. From my view that is when you know that you have a problem and NO consideration for others. I would love to stick her in a factory for a month and see if she thinks there are still worse things that she could be doing!!! She also said their was nothing relatively dangerous about working in these factories- however there is literal evidence that these factories are unsafe and horrible working conditions from the Bangladesh disaster.
The global supply chain is absolutely horrendous and i wasn't aware of how many issues were involved in this industry. This was a major eye opener for me and i think it will change how i look at clothing and how i approach the fashion industry in my future career. It is really important to surround ourselves and educate ourselves with films like this because it would be careless to disregard the people who are really paying the price for the clothes on our backs.
I would definitely recommend watching this film. It is an eye opening documentary which explores elements of the supply chain including: working conditions, cotton farming in Texas and around the globe, pollution, the manufacturing of goods and major over consumption. Im extremely glad that i approached this film as to study fashion, you defiantly have to know what issues lie behind the industry you're working for. I would rate this five stars, a MUST watch.