This documentary shows us how western countries have managed to do more harm than good while acting as saviours of "the poor uneducated natives". I am not referring only to Africa, because what happens there, happens in Asia and the Americas. (Americas as in the continents not as in the US which is just one of the American countries.) The paternalistic view of hundreds of years ago is still well and strong. I find it interesting how a person likes to hear herself babble in a review: "outdated look at one aspect of how local and international markets collide in Africa"-Outdated? How?; "the film highlights the fact that Indians often control the importation of goods"-Highlights? I thought it was just a few seconds comment stating a fact; "misses a great opportunity to highlight the ingenuity that has allowed Africans to survive"-absolutely not. The number one thing I got from this documentary was the strengh of a young man (who represents millions of men and women) to survive in such an environment. Sure, he had to put aside his hopes and dreams, but he did in an attempt to prevent his brothers, sisters, cousins from the same fate. Supporting eight people selling used clothing and fish is an amazing and admirable feat. It puts a face to the African people who manage to survive what most of us in the US probably could not. I've seen many documentaries about Africa but this one managed to make it real for me.

This is a nice, somewhat outdated look at one aspect of how local and international markets collide in Africa. However, I felt that the narrator conflated Zambia's specifics with Africa's generalities. For a viewer who is not informed about Africa, this could lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. For example, the film highlights the fact that Indians often control the importation of goods. This is a phenomenon specific to Southern and Eastern Africa. Furthermore, the film does not address its Anglo-centrism. Zambia is a former British protectorate and therefore has a very different history than francophone or lusophone countries. It would have given a much more balanced point of view to follow a buy'em sell'em in Cameroon or another francophone country. It was also interesting the filmmakers choose to use many obviously Malian songs for the soundtrack. Perhaps the assumption is that American and European viewers will be unable to notice the difference or that since the film is about "Africa," it was not important to choose Zambian music. If this topic is of interest to you, other issues of local people being unable to access local products (either because they are no longer being created, they are too expensive, or they are simply unavailable) include milk (ie Nido), chocolate, rice, some juices, and more. Finally, I feel that this films misses a great opportunity to highlight the ingenuity that has allowed Africans to survive and sometimes flourish in the economic conditions of the past 30 years. People selling clothes for fish, and fish for money? Children making their own toys out of wire, seeds, etc? To me this demonstrates how individuals are doing their utmost to succeed and enjoy life in a cash/market economy that is largely inaccessible to them. We should highlight the success as well as explain who is to be blamed.

T-Shirt Travels cleverly uses the very basic concept of the path of a t-shirt to present seemingly complicated issues like structural adjustment. The viewer will learn how colonialism, debt and friendly 'loans' from the IMF and World Bank have led to the virtual destruction of many African nations. The director does well by sharing the story of one young man while also including a number of experts in her documentary. I recommend this video. For those who enjoy this PBS special I highly recommend the short but succinct expose on globalization- "Life and Debt". If you're seeking a positive view on the industriousness of African citizens feel free to read "The boy who harnessed the wind". For current exposes on the IMF & World Banks' role in worldwide destruction refer to the writing of investigative journalist Greg Palast. Of course, if T-Shirt Travels so moved you to assist the industrious Africans not quite having enough funds to purchase their next bale of Ts, consider making a microloan at www.kiva.org

I had absolutly no idea that this was going on over there! I did always wonder how they got american shirts and stuff but I always thought that it came from charities and programs. I wonder how the american public would feel knowing that american charities are selling donated clothes by the pound. Our charities have a nice little hustle going on! sarcasm

i chose this documentary because i am in the fashion industry and have done development work in west africa. this film explains about the second hand clothes market, where they get clothes from and what that industry actually does to their economy. very well done.