Watch Workingman's Death

Workingman's Death is a documentary film from 2005 that explores the lives and working conditions of laborers from different parts of the world. The film is divided into six chapters, each depicting a different type of manual labor, from coal miners in Ukraine to metal workers in Nigeria. The first chapter, "Lions," follows a group of men who work in an illegal sulfur mine in Indonesia. These men descend into the crater of a volcano where they extract blocks of sulfur by hand. The work is grueling and dangerous, with the men constantly exposed to toxic fumes and extreme heat. Yet, they endure these conditions in order to make a living, as there are few other job opportunities in the area.

Chapter two, "Ghosts," is set in Ukraine, where coal mining is a major industry. The film follows a group of miners as they descend into a coal mine, where they spend hours working in cramped, dark conditions. The miners face constant danger, as the mine is poorly maintained and accidents are common. Despite these risks, the men continue to work in the mine, as it is one of the few ways to support their families.

Chapter three, "Heroes," focuses on the shipbreaking industry in Pakistan. It depicts the process of breaking down large ships for scrap metal and highlights the dangerous working conditions that laborers face on a daily basis. The workers are exposed to toxic fumes and the risk of explosions, yet they must continue to work in the industry as it is the primary source of income for many of them.

Chapter four, "Brothers," takes place in Nigeria, where young men work in a scrap metal market. This chapter depicts the workers' daily lives and shows the struggles they face as they try to make a living through manual labor. The film also touches on the issue of child labor, as many of the workers are underage and have few other options for earning money.

Chapter five, "The Future," is set in China, where workers manufacture steel. The film focuses on the dehumanizing working conditions in Chinese factories and highlights the toll that long hours and low wages take on workers' physical and emotional health. This chapter also touches on the issue of labor exploitation, as workers are frequently subjected to unsafe working conditions and denied fair compensation for their labor.

The final chapter, "The Market," is set in a slaughterhouse in Nigeria. The film depicts the brutal work that laborers perform in order to process meat for market. The workers must work quickly and efficiently, ignoring their own safety as they use sharp knives to dismember animal carcasses. Despite the danger and low pay, the workers continue to perform this work as it is one of the few available options for making a living.

Overall, Workingman's Death is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on the realities of manual labor in different parts of the world. The film portrays the struggles that workers face in order to earn a living, and highlights the importance of addressing labor issues such as exploitation and unsafe working conditions. Through its intimate portrayals of workers from different backgrounds, the film gives a voice to those who are often overlooked and marginalized in society.

Workingman's Death is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 67.