American Factory: Documentary has Chinese buzzing, but they can't watch it

The documentary, backed by Barack and Michelle Obama's new production company, follows along as a shuttered GM plant outside Dayton is bought and converted into a factory run by China's Fuyao Glass

“American Factory,” a new Netflix Inc. documentary about a Chinese-owned factory in Ohio isn’t being screened in China. But hundreds of thousands of people have seen it anyway, sparking a debate that delves into the relationship between the world’s two largest economies.

The 115-minute film was widely discussed on Chinese social networks and spawned dozens of reviews by influential bloggers and state media, prompting discussions on globalization, cultural differences, automation and workers’ rights. Netflix isn’t available in China, and a company spokesperson said there’s no legitimate way to watch it there.

The documentary, backed by Barack and Michelle Obama’s new