SILVER

When a massive Chinese industrial park lands in rural Ethiopia, a dusty farming town finds itself at the new frontier of globalization. The sprawling factory complex’s formidable Chinese director Motto now needs every bit of mettle and charm she can muster to push through a high-stakes expansion that promises 30,000 new jobs. Ethiopian farmer Workinesh and factory worker Beti have staked their futures on the prosperity the park promises. But as initial hope meets painful realities, they find themselves, like their country, at a pivotal crossroads. Filmed over four years and executive produced by the Washington, DC-based Mehret Mandefro (DIFRET), MADE IN ETHIOPIA lifts the curtain on China’s historic but misunderstood impact on Africa, and explores contemporary Ethiopia at a moment of profound crisis. As the three women’s stories unfold, MADE IN ETHIOPIA challenges us to rethink the relationships between tradition and modernity, growth and welfare, the development of a country and the well-being of its people. (Note courtesy of Dogwoof.) Official Selection, 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. DIR/SCR/PROD Xinyan Yu, Max Duncan; PROD Tamara Dawit. Canada/Ethiopia/U.S./UK/Denmark, 2024, color, 91 min. In English, Chinese, Amharic and Oromo with English subtitles. NOT RATED