The Flagmakers
Diverse, moving stories from America's largest flag factory.
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The Flagmakers
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Flagmakers is a stirring look at the diverse range of people who work in America's largest flag manufacturing plant. Many of the people featured have overcome significant adversity to get to the United States, including years spent in refugee camps or even as a prisoner of war. They tell stories of war violence including bombings, IEDs, murders, and death. A Black man discusses the killing of George Floyd and Jacob Blake, and the resultant protests. A worker from Iraq describes being hit by a stranger while shopping with his family in a Walmart. Video of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and rioters attacking police officers is shown. Despite all of this, the workers are shown dealing with their trauma and putting aside their differences to work side by side. They all seem to genuinely care about each other and are grateful just for the opportunity to live and work in America.
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What's the Story?
THE FLAGMAKERS highlights the stories of workers in America's largest flag-making factory, located in Wisconsin. People with a myriad of backgrounds and ethnicities are spotlighted. Many are immigrants, including a woman who came from Serbia, another who spent years in a prisoner of war camp, and refugees from all over the world. They work side by side with Black Americans and White Trump supporters, and they all tell their stories as they're shown coming together in kindness and support to make American flags.
Is It Any Good?
This is a moving and thought-provoking documentary about the diverse group of people who work side by side to make America's most recognizable symbol. The Flagmakers shines a light on the American experience for people of color, immigrants, and those who are impoverished through one-on-one interviews. Alongside the workers' stories are examples of how much they care for their community and each other, regardless of background or political affiliation. In light of the flag's increasing use as a symbol of division, the film offers a heartening reminder of how people from different backgrounds can work together and find common ground. A must-see for anyone living in the United States.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why so many immigrants are so proud to work at the flag factory. How does the diversity of the people making the American flag affect the meaning of the flag?
One of the immigrant workers says, "America is not the same America as when I came here." A Black man born in America says, "I love my country but it doesn't always love me back." What do you think they mean? What can we learn about unity and finding common ground from the interactions among the people in the flag factory?
In what ways do the people working in the factory display resilience and perseverance? Why are these important character traits?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: December 21, 2022
- Studio: National Geographic
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts, History
- Run time: 35 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
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