BGMEA lashes out at French movie jibe

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has protested against “derogatory comments” about ‘made in Bangladesh’ products in French movie ‘The Last Mercenary’.

BGMEA demanded removing the dialogue or scene from the movie and halt its streaming.

In separate letters to US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller and Netflix CEO Theodore Anthony Sarandos, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan expressed deep concern and sought their intervention.

In a statement, the BGMEA said “disrespectful and derogatory comments on ‘Made in Bangladesh’ garments in ‘The Last Mercenary’, directed by David Charon and released on Netflix on July 30, drew its attention.

“It hurts our feelings and pride as in one scene the main character ‘the Mist’ makes a negative comment about our made in Bangladesh tag,” the association said.

“We think these disrespectful remarks not only undermined the joint efforts made by Bangladesh RMG industry along with its international development partners which ensured progress and development that are being recognised internationally and receiving worldwide appreciations; but also dishonoured the emotion of millions of consumers worldwide whose wardrobes are full with ‘Made in Bangladesh’ attires and many of which are their favourites,” the BGMEA chieef said in the letter sent to the Netflix CEO.

The apparel manufacturers and workers of Bangladesh put all their dedication and commitments to supply apparel for the top global brands, and they take a lot of pride in what they make. This hard work and pride should be respected by all, Hasan said.

On behalf of all manufacturers and workers of Bangladesh’s apparel industry, BGMEA is vehemently protesting against the comments made in the movie, the letter said.

“We seek and request your urgent attention and demand that the dialogue from the scene of the movie that degrades garments ‘Made in Bangladesh’ to be expunged,” said the business leader.

He also requested Netflix to stop streaming the movie until the dialogue or the scene is removed.

Meanwhile, the BGMEA also sought intervention from the US government to remove these derogatory comments from the movie.

Hassan said that at a moment when Bangladesh’s RMG industry is leading green garment manufacturing by examples, derogatory comments about ‘Made in Bangladesh’ in the French movie has “appalled and shocked us”.

In one of the scenes, a character says: “Yes, Bulletproof Tuxedo, Made in France. I’d be dead if it were Bangladesh.”

These comments are tantamount to belittling the hard work, dedication, quality and on time manufacturing commitment of the 4 million garment workers of Bangladesh who are delivering ‘Made in Bangladesh’ apparel to about 160 countries of the world, including the US, said Hassan.