Watch Farewell Ferris Wheel

Farewell Ferris Wheel is a compelling and thought-provoking documentary film from 2016 that explores the complex issues surrounding the temporary foreign worker program in the United States through the lens of the carnival industry. The film follows several carnival workers from Mexico and Guatemala as they travel across the United States operating Ferris wheels and other rides at county fairs and state fairs. The workers are part of a larger group of temporary foreign workers who come to the United States each year under the H-2B guest worker program, which allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary or seasonal jobs.

The film delves deep into the working and living conditions of the carnival workers, highlighting the grueling hours, low pay, and lack of basic protections such as workers' compensation and access to healthcare. These workers are essentially living in a state of limbo, unable to fully integrate into American society and unable to return to their home countries due to a lack of opportunities and economic insecurity.

As the film progresses, we also meet several American carnival owners who rely on the labor of these temporary foreign workers to keep their businesses running. These owners are faced with difficult decisions and ethical dilemmas as they navigate the complex and often murky waters of the temporary foreign worker program.

Beyond the immediate struggles of the carnival workers and owners, Farewell Ferris Wheel also sheds light on the larger systemic issues at play. The film explores the ways in which the H-2B program has been exploited by employers and has become a pathway for corporations to exploit vulnerable migrant workers for cheap labor. It also reveals the ways in which the program puts American workers at a disadvantage by depressing wages and creating a two-tiered labor market.

Despite the weighty subject matter, Farewell Ferris Wheel is also a beautifully shot and emotionally resonant film. The carnival rides and festivities provide a colorful backdrop to the intense human stories unfolding on screen. The filmmakers carefully balance the broader socio-political issues with intimate portrayals of the individual lives impacted by the temporary foreign worker program. There are moments of genuine heartbreak, laughter, and hope in equal measure.

Overall, Farewell Ferris Wheel is an important and timely film that raises crucial questions about labor rights, immigration policy, and economic justice in the United States. It offers a nuanced and compassionate look at a complex issue, and leaves viewers with much to reflect upon.

Farewell Ferris Wheel is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.