Chinatown Voiceover/Subtitle script.

00.12 – 00.22: China, home to more than 1.3 billion people, with an economy growing faster than any other country in the world. It’s bursting at the seams.   

 00.25 – 00.33:  With their growing prosperity, and the ambition that goes with it, Chinese businesses are now looking overseas to spend the bulging profits.

00.35 – 00.53: One such company is the Fanerdun Group. Today they’re celebrating a new international contract. They’ve set their sites on the remote Swedish town of Kalmar. There they plan to build a world trade centre with 300 apartments and a number of 4 star hotels and restaurants.


00.47– 01.21:
Subtitles
Our project is all about choosing a totally new
lifestyle. If you want to invest
You must be prepared to become a world
citizen, too. If you engage in legal business
activity and create assets for Sweden
and pay whatever taxes you owe to the
Swedish government and invest there, after 2 years
you can emigrate with your family.

01.31 – 0.41: It’s an ambitious plan, far from home for Fanerdun, and its chairman, Mr Luo. But the Chinese are confident. It’s their most exciting investment yet.


01.43 – 01.46:
Subtitles
Invest in Kalmar, Sweden; a whole new life awaits you!

01.52 – 01.55:
Title card
Chinatown    

Subtitles
02.04  - 02.09:  It is not only a business
exchange, it's a cultural one as well

02.10 – 02.13: between Chinese and Europeans.

02.15 – 02.20: If our project goes well,
Kalmar, in ten or twenty years

02.21 – 02.26: will become a city of several hundred
 thousand people, maybe even millions.

02.27 – 02.34: Kalmar's current politicians
will become heroes then.

02.35 – 02.39: Just like the Eastindia Man,
Gothenburg, they'll go down in history.

02.40 – 02.43: The mayor of Kalmar was
very happy when I told him that.

02.44 – 02.49: People in Kalmar,
and people in Sweden...

02.53 – 02.55: They're friendly.
Yes, they are.

02.58 – 03.03: They are hospitable.
And have good manners.

03.04 – 03.09: They treat one another civilly.
They show respect for one another.

03.10 – 03.14: They are a civilized
and well-mannered people.

    
Voice over
03.24 – 03.31: Kalmar was once a thriving and buoyant trading port. But today the town lives under a cloud of high unemployment and a struggling economy.

03.33 – 03.42: Faced with a terrible decline in his town’s fortunes, the mayor, Johan Persson, welcomed the Chinese proposal and was eager to befriend Mr Luo, the Chinese investor.

Subtitles – Johan Persson
03.47 – 03.52: I think he's a very ambitious
entrepreneur.

03.54 – 03.59: I wish we had many such people
in Sweden. We do have a few...

04.00 – 04.07: But...he is very ambitious, full
of ideas, and has a lot of vision.

04.13 – 04.16: Not many of my old schoolmates
live in this region any longer.

04.17 – 04.23: My wife hails from another region
and is almost the only one from her class who's
moved away.

04.24 – 04.27: The labor market here has been tough.

04.28 – 04.33: Investments are welcome - they create
jobs, hope for the future and growth.

04:34 – 04.38: So maybe my daughter and her friends
can choose to stay here

04:39 – 04.42: rather than moving away
because of no work.


Subtitles – newspaper articles

04.44 – 04.49: "Be happy that Chinese want
to invest in limited, little Kalmar"

04.54 – 05.00: "Fanerdun offers Swedish companies
the chance to display their products"


Voice over
05.02 – 05.11: Months have been spent preparing the ground for Mr Luo’s ambitious proposal and Sweden is buzzing with the opportunity the model might offer other struggling Swedish towns.

05.12 – 05.33: In a packed town hall the residents of Kalmar anxiously listen to Mr Luo’s proposal to change the face of their town forever. Mayor Peerson has taken a big gamble but everyone knows how high the stakes are. Kalmar’s  people accept that unless they take the risk their town’s decline will only get worse.  

Subtitles – Luo presentation
05.40 – 05.46: I'm convinced that the Chinese
and Swedish trade center in Kalmar

05.47 – 05.48: will create a new and great Kalmar.

05.49 – 05.53: It is a future that we Chinese
and you the people of Kalmar

05.54 – 05.57: will create together.

05.59 – 06.02: That is why I want to ask
all of you a question.

06.03 – 06.05: Are you, the people of Kalmar, ready?

06.06 – 06.11: I want to ask all of you:
Are you ready for us to come?

06.12 – 06.16: Answer me, if you are.

06.17 – 06.20: Because soon many Chinese people
will be coming here.

06.24 – 06.31:
As the  Swedes open their doors to the Chinese money, Mr Luo holds a traditional signing ceremony.

Subtitles – Signing ceremony
06.34 – 06.38: Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom
of Sweden, Maud Olofsson...

.06.39 – 06.44: ..and the Chinese ambassador
to Sweden, Lu¸ Fengding...

06.45 – 06.48:...Director-General of Invest in Sweden,
Kai Hammerich...

Voice over
07.06 – 07.13: Mayor Peerson is happy. He’s confident  it’s the beginning of a new lease of life for his town, and that jobs and great wealth will shortly follow.

 07.24 – 07.32: In the bleak Swedish winter, the first Chinese workers arrive. Luo’s dream project in Kalmar is becoming a reality.

Subtitles – coach journey
07.35 – 07.41: Sweden occupies the eastern half
of the Scandinavian Peninsula.

07.42 – 07.48: To the west is Norway
and to the north is Finland.

07.49 – 07.51: Denmark is to the south.

07.52 – 07.56: You don't see any people.
- That's because it's Saturday.

07.57 – 08.03: And it's winter. People stay
inside, especially in the morning.

08.04 – 08.13: From my own experience
with the Swedes, they are very shy.
Not very outgoing.

Subtitles – walking in the snow
08.24 – 08.28: What are we doing here?

08.29 – 08.32: Hello! What are we doing here?

08.35 – 08.38: What are we supposed to see
in this snowy landscape?

08.39 – 08.44: You're here to enjoy the landscape.
There'll be shops here.

08.45 – 08.51: Really? Where will mine be?
Right here, maybe.

08.52 – 08.56: I want the first one on the eastern side.

08.58 – 09.03: This is the western side.
The eastern side is better.

09.07 – 09.12: This is the first phase,
for 1,000 exhibition spaces.

09.13 – 09.16: Where's the second phase?
Over there. For 1,300 spaces.

Subtitles – accommodation block
09.34 – 09.38: The main courses are served
in the kitchen; your rice, here.

09.41 – 09.46: All rice is imported. They produce no
rice in Sweden, it costs 20 Kronor a Kilo

09.47 – 09.50: I want everyone to work hard.

09.54 – 09.57: Sweden isn't like China.
They have very strict rules here.

09.58 – 10.02: As you noticed when you got
on the plane, people speak softly.

10.03 – 10.10: We Chinese yell and shout at one
another. You can't do that here.

10.11 – 10.16: Next, don't spit on the floor
in the place where you're living.

10.17 – 10.20: That's a bad Chinese habit.

10.21 – 10.26: You can't do that here. People here
are very conscientious about hygiene.

10.27 – 10.31: You must all respect
the rules of conduct.

10.32 – 10.36:
- You'll have to stick it out for 3 months.
- Almost 3 months.

10.37 – 10.40: You must not cause any trouble.

10.41 – 10.45: It would be harmful to the project
and give us Chinese a bad name.

10.51 – 10.56: Po  Nillson, the local Swedish Health and Safety Officer, pays the Chinese workers a visit.

Subtitles – Accommodation block
11.09 – 11.10:
How many rooms do you have here?

11.12 – 11.14:
Ten rooms altogether.


11.18 – 11.24: Is there anyone working here
who's responsible for safety issues?

11.25 – 11.29:
- You mean Swedish regulations...
They have protective clothing.

11.30 – 11.33:
There are helmets in the container.
Shoes and boots...

11.34 – 11.38:
Has each person been able
to try on the shoes?

11.39 – 11.44:
Yes, to make sure they have the proper
shoes and ones that fit.

11.45 – 11.47:
They did that before they came here.

11.49 – 11.50:
Is one stove sufficient?

11.54 – 12.01:
We Chinese eat a lot of rice.
We have several big rice steamers.

12.01 – 12.04:
- So that's sufficient?
- Yes.

12.05 – 12.08:
Since we cook our rice
in these big steamers

12.09 – 12.11:
we don't need much cooking space.

12.12 – 12.14:
Anything else...

12.15 – 12.18:
Should I ask if they have
any questions for you?

12.19 – 12.22:
He wants to know
if any of you have any questions.

12.23 – 12.28:
It's better if you ask questions,
so he'll think the atmosphere's good.

12.29 – 12.34:
- Tell him we're eager to start working.
- Yes, it's no fun doing nothing.

12.35 – 12.38:
He's going to speak for the others.

12.39 – 12.43:
We want to start working
as soon as possible.

12.44 – 12.47:
We Chinese are hard workers

12.48 – 12.52:
They are very accustomed
to working during the day.

12.53 – 12.57:
It's difficult for them to be here
without having anything to do.

12.58 – 13.03:
They hope they can start working
as soon as possible.

13.04 – 13.09:
They can begin as soon
as the agreement is signed.

13.10 – 13.15:
But if any of them start before that,
the press will have a heyday with it.

13.16 – 13.21:
"The Chinese are working
here with no union contract."

13.22 – 13.26:
So it's important that no-one
does anything yet.

13.27 – 13.32:
They can paint their rooms if they like,
but they must not work at the site.

13.33 – 13.41:
(Voiceover)
The union is refusing to sign off on the labour contract until Fanerdun agrees to pay the Chinese workers Swedish rates of pay.
 
Subtitles – meeting
13.43 – 13.54:
It was splashed across the front page of the
local newspaper today that 32 Chinese workers
are already here, but cannot start working

13.55 – 14.00:
This is a very serious problem for us.

14.01 – 14.07:
I hope we can work together with
the local authorities to solve it.

14.08 – 14.13:
We've asked Roland to speak
with the union today

14.14 – 14.18:
about finding a solution. I too was
surprised when I saw that article.

14.20 – 14.25:
I'm in contact with Johan Andersson,
and I believe that there's an agreement

14.26 – 14.31:
and that we're only waiting
for both of the parties to sign.

14.32 – 14.35:
It should be possible to do so
before December 6.

14.36 – 14.42:
Our workers are already here.

14.43 – 14.45:
I'd like for them to start
working tomorrow.

14.46 – 14.48:
It's starting to get cold now.

14.49 – 14.53:
They've waited 2 months
in China already.

14.54 – 14.56:
Roland will check into it.


Voice over
14.59 – 15.04: But finally, an agreement is signed and construction can finally get under way.

15.05 – 15.12: After months of waiting around everyone is relieved and it appears nothing can stop Luo’s project now.

15.14 – 15.24: The locals pay a keen interest in the project. Everyone wants Chairman Luo to keep his promise and bring their struggling town back to life.

Subtitles – Two guys chatting outside

15.27 – 15.30:…- What's that going to be?
- Will those buildings be connected?


15.31 – 15.33:
Are they exhibition halls, too?

15.35 – 15.39: This was the warehouse
for the old chocolate factory.

15.40 – 15.44:
- Then, a Chinese park over there.
- That'll be great.

15.48 – 15.52:
I wonder how many people
will come here every year. Quite a few.

15.53 – 15.56:
There will be people
all over the place...

15.57 – 16.01:
running around, doing business.

Po visits the building site
Subtitles

16.17 – 16.23:
…See how close he is?
He's on the very edge,
with people right below.

16.25 – 16.31: It should be clean here,
without all this junk.

16.32 – 16.34: Is everyone here?

16.39 – 16.42:
Hello, guys!
How are you doing?

16.45 – 16.49:
At seven this morning
I came here to have a look.

16.50 – 16.55:
I was very disappointed by what I saw.

16.58 – 17.00 :
My one and only task here

17.01 – 17.05:
is to make sure that your work
environment is safe and healthy.

17.06 – 17.11:
I want you to feel good here at work.
Nothing bad should happen to you!

17.12 – 17.18:
Luo and I have decided that the rest
of the day should be devoted entirely

17.19 – 17.23:
to cleaning this up
so you can work safely.

17.24 – 17.27:
If the work environment
inspector were to see this

17.28 – 17.31:
it would cost the company dearly.

17.34 – 17.36:
Any questions?

17.37 – 17.41:
Do you have any questions?
Ask them if we can agree on this.

17.42 – 17.48:
He asks if you are in agreement
with what he said.



Po interview
17.54 – 18.07:
It's hard to speak directly to them.
Sometimes I ask the interpreter if

she thinks that they find me annoying.
No, she says that they appreciate
my concern.

Workers interview on site
Subtitles

18.12 – 18.19:
It's hard to move around and work
with all these fences here.

18.20 – 18.26:
The pits aren't that deep,
only about a meter.

18.28 – 18.30:
Only 1.20, to be exact.

18.31 – 18.35:
It's hard to turn around
down there.

Voice over
18.38 – 18.45: With construction well under way, Lou and his Swedish partners travel to China in a bid to drum up business for the new Chinese trade centre.

18.52 – 18.58: Luo and Mayor Peerson are eager to find Chinese business partners keen to export their goods to Sweden.

Voice over
19.00 – 19.15: But so far few investors have turned up. Many question the remoteness of the site and how much business it will be practical to do from Kalmar.

Subtitles – Presentation

19.18 – 19.25:
…This is the second time in 4 months that
the Kalmar delegation is here in China.

19.31 – 19.36:
We're proud to be in Yiwu, Mr. Luo's
hometown. China is doing very well.


19.37 – 19.42:
I saw on the news that this last year
its trade surplus increased by 78 %.

19.43 – 19.46:
But Sweden is doing well, too.

19.47 – 19.49:
Together we can create
a win-win situation.

19.50 – 19.56:
I welcome you to Kalmar as investors
and also as future residents in our city.

19.57 – 20.01:
I invite all of you to come and invest
in Kalmar. Thank you very much.

20.05 – 20.17: Mrs Li, a successful business woman in the textile industry, is one potential investor who has expressed an interest in Luo’s plans. She is excited at the prospect of relocating her business and family to Kalmar.

Subtitles
20.18 – 20.20:
…Luxurious homes
between forest and sea

Voiceover
20.22 – 20.27: and she loves the village Fanerdun plans to create. She is considering taking one of the apartments.

Subtitles
20.36 – 20.40: Do you want tea?
Did you kiss your mom?

20.46 – 20.59:
My son is very spoiled.
If Swedes think we're only interested
in emigrating, they've got it all wrong.

21.01 – 21.05:
But part of the family is
now going to move there.
21.06 – 21.09:
Shouldn't our children have
the right to come with us?

21.10 – 21.15:
It's only fair that if we take
our money there, we take them, too.

21.24 – 21.27:
They want to apply
for residence permits.

21.28 – 21.32:
They are the family of
Mrs. Li, a business owner.

21.36 – 21.39:
 Is the daughter here?
Yes.

Voice over
21.42 – 21.49: Back in Kalmar, despite the cultural and language differences, the Chinese workers are settling into everyday life.

Subtitles – shopping
21.56 – 22.05: How much does liquor cost?
This must weigh a kilo!

22.12 – 22.20: And there are regular meetings with the locals to discuss any issues that arise. Complaints about noise being the most common.

Subtitles
22.26 – 22.28:
There's something
I've been wondering about.

22.29 – 22.33:
How do you neighbors feel
about their being here?

22.34 – 22.39:
Perhaps some of you are happy
about it, but others, not at all.

22.40 – 22.46:
Yes. Sofie walked with some of them.
Some neighbors turned up their noses

22.47 – 22.50:
hid behind their curtains
and shut their doors.

22.52 – 22.56:
- There could be two sides to it.
- Maybe there are things we should...

22.57 – 23.02:
They asked if I'd heard any complaints
about their making too much noise.

23.03 – 23.08:
- Noise? Their lights are turned off.
- They have their ping pong table.

23.09 – 23.14:
In Sweden you're supposed to be quiet
after ten o'clock, eleven on weekends.

23.16 – 23.21:
So they were asked to close their
doors, and they were fine with that.

23.22 – 23.30:
As Mr. Luo says...
He's said it several times...

23.31 – 23.37:
"Treat us like newborn babies."
Those are actually very wise words.

23.38 – 23.41:
When they come here
everything's new for them.

23.42 – 23.52:
They don't know how to behave.
And naturally things are going to happen
that you aren't accustomed to.


23.54 – 23.58:
I'm just asking some understanding
for their culture and way of living.

23.59 – 24.02:
But of course we won't
tolerate just anything.

24.03 – 24.07:
If you have any problems at all,
contact us.

24.08 – 24.11:
Here's my card,
for any of you who want it.


Voice over
24.16 -  24.35: But on the building site things have slowed down. Luo is frustrated. His ambitious schedule is running behind. He has not received Swedish permission to build the apartments and the Swedes are frustrated at a lack of detailed building plans from the Chinese. And looming on the horizon, is the grand opening!

Subtitles – meeting

24.38 – 24.44:
…Fire, ventilation, water and sewage,
energy, etc, etc.

24.45 – 24.50:
Fanerdun must do all this before it
comes to us saying it's ready to build.

24,54 – 24.59:
I'd originally asked to get a building
permit in time to start work on the 15th.

25.00 – 25.05:
We need to pull out all the stops,
you can force Swedes to do things.

25.06 – 25.10:
If we do as they say
it'll take five years.

25.11 – 25.14:
Can Fanerdun submit
all the documents on June 15?

25.15 - 25.24:
We'll do everything we can
but we can't promise
that we can get it done by the 15th.

25.27 – 25.33:
At best we'll have the permit by
the middle or the last half of August.

25.34 – 25.36:
Then, after a building
consultation we can start.

25.37 – 25.44:
That won't do! We need the buildings
ready for habitation by September 3.

25.46 – 25.57:
We've already launched
a big advertising campaign
announcing in newspapers
all over the world
that the opening will take place
on September 28.

25.58 – 26.02:
- That's out of the question.
- But it's the reality.

26.03 – 26.08:
If my dwellings aren't finished
by September 28

26.09 – 26.14:
so that I can sell them
to the investors when they come

26.15 – 26.22:
I'll have to pay for their lodging and
provide hotel rooms for 600 people.

26.23 – 26.28:
So each month the building is delayed
will cost me half a million dollars.

26.29 – 26.34:
I understand the problem. We must
think through what needs to be done.

26.35 – 26.40:
I can't answer any questions today
about permission from the authorities.

Subtitles – Mayor
26.46 – 26.51:
He has a lot of ambition, is
full of ideas and a lot of vision.

26.52 – 26.58:
Let's just hope he can carry it off,
finishing every step properly

26.59 – 27.04:
before going on to the next step.
Because he has very ambitious plans.

27.06 – 27.11:
It's better to toss ten balls in the air
and have seven of them fall

27.12 – 27.17:
than to have never tossed up any balls
for fear that something might go wrong.

27.18 – 27.23:
And considering all the jobs we've lost,
what choice do we have?

27.24 – 27.30:
This region needs to step on the gas
and grow. Or else we'll die a slow death.

27.31 – 27.37:
We have Sweden's oldest population
and a lot of people have moved away.

Voice over
27.40 – 27.45:
Despite the pressures Luo takes ‘time out’ and heads off to watch the local football team.

27.59 – 28.05:
But the relief is short. On site, there are serious health and safety issues to be dealt with.



28.12 – 28.17:
I want to know why they are
wearing the wrong shoes?

Subtitles – Health and Safety

28.18 – 28.21:
You were told yesterday that
you have to wear safety shoes.

28.22 – 28.25:
We heard nothing about that.
Yes, we've told you several times.

28.26 – 28.37:
You have to wear safety shoes.
What if you step on a nail?

28.38 – 28.46:
We all have eyes.
But a person doesn't
always see everything.

28.59 – 29.16:
Go and change shoes.
Next time you aren't wearing the right
shoes he'll send you back to China. OK?

29.36 – 29.41:
- We have the same goals.
- We also put security first.

29.50 – 29.56:
I've sent belts along with a person

who is coming here the 25th.

29.56 – 30.01
- We can't use Chinese ones.
- That's absurd!

30.02 – 30.07:
- They have to be of better quality.
- I'll look into what's available.

30.17 – 30.21:
We can show them to you.

30.28 – 30.30
Their demands
are unreasonable.

Voice over
30.42 – 30.50: Then the building inspectors arrive on site. The Chinese workforce has continued to ignore the Swedish safety concerns and now they’re really in trouble.  

Subtitles

30.54 – 31.05:
Are those Chinese belts?
That guy up there has a Swedish one.Cxx
How the hell did he get up there?
He runs them up there with the lift.

31.15 … The inspectors decide to stop all Construction until further notice. The workers go back to their accommodation and everything grinds to a halt.

31.25…For Mayor Peerson, things aren’t looking good, but he is determined not to let it destroy his belief in the project.

Subtitles - Mayor
31.38 – 31.53:
I have confidence in Luo.
He gives a positive impression.
He listens to what a person says
and is trying hard to handle
this investment in the right way.

31.54 – 32.09:
He has stressed this several times.
The local officials he's worked with
also say that he listens to them.
And every time you talk to him
your confidence in him grows.

32.11 – 32.15:
You must have that confidence.
You must be able to trust one another.


Voice over
32.18 – 32.31:
Undeterred by the setbacks Luo throws himself into the preparations for the opening ceremony. It’s all hands on deck and at least it gives his idle workers something to do. Luo desperately needs to impress his visitors.

Subtitles
32.36 – 32.41:
- We need to move the lawn over there.
- Tell them to help out.

32.42 – 32.44:
Come here, come here!

Opening Ceremony
Subtitles

33.19 – 33.24:
…So much has happened this last week.
- All because of you!

33.25 – 33.31:
Tell Mr. Luo that I'm returning
this present I stole from him.

33.48 – 34.00:
TorsÂs is another municipality.
Good luck!

Subtitles – Peerson interview

34.01 – 34.08:
Those who said the project
in Kalmar was just a big bluff

may be doing
some heavy thinking today.

Subtitles – Opening Speeches

34.09 – 34.12: Members of the Chinese,
Swedish and European press

34.13 – 34.17:
Chinese investors, personnel
And other guests, welcome!

Voiceover
34.19 – 34.25:
Luo has pulled it off and the opening ceremony, with nothing to open, goes off with a bang!

Subtitles – Lou presentation

34.29 – 34.39:
Many people ask: Why Kalmar?
I have the answer for you.
 
34.43 – 34.50:
Because people here are nice, the water
tastes good and the air is clean.

34.51 – 34.58:
I want to express our deep gratitude
to Fanerdun and Mr. Luo
for putting Kalmar on the map.

35.10 – 35.14:
"The big trade center
was opened with a big bang."

35.16 – 35.20:
"Jingxing Luo: "It's just the beginning."

Voice over
35.22 – 35.32:
Mrs Li, the textile exporter, has come to Sweden to see what Luo has to offer. She will be presenting her wares in the temporary venue as part of the opening festivities.

Subtitles -  Mrs Li

35.40 – 35.59:
…You need to register to live in Sweden.
After living here seven years
you can apply for citizenship.
But you can live here
without being a Swedish citizen.
Our main purpose for coming to Sweden
isn't to become permanent residents.

36.01 – 36.13:
But of course it would mean a lot
in the future if we were to feel
that our rights were protected by law.

36.14 – 36.22:
Naturally we will do
our utmost to adapt
to the manners and customs
in this country.

36.23 – 36.30:
My biggest worry is that we Chinese
will be treated like
second-class citizens.

36.39 – 36.44
That building's going to be
a Chinese restaurant.

36.45 – 36.50:
There's going to be
a Chinese-style park over there.

36.51 – 36.59:
Will the apartment be close
to the center?
Yes, very close.
The apartments will be over there.

Voiceover
37.03 -  37.13: Following the official opening the trade centre becomes the main attraction, with Kalmar’s citizens turning out in force to witness the next step in the town’s great Chinese adventure.

37.20 – 37.26: They’re anxious to get a feel for the more upmarket Chinese arrivals and the products they bring with them.

37.40 – 38.00: It’s all looking good for Luo and Mayor Peerson. Despite the difficulties Luo’s charade seems to have worked and few are wise to the problems dogging the project. Visitors come from far and wide to see what it’s all about and there are enough Chinese prospective businesses to fill the halls with Chinese product.

Subtitles

38.22 – 38.25:
We say "Santa Claus" here.

38.27 – 38.30:
Perfect for the European market.

Subtitles – Mrs Li

39.18 – 39.30:
We're not really sure...
...how this is going to work out.
So I'm a bit concerned.

39.32 – 39.46:
Will the trade center be as profitable
for us as we have hoped
Will there be enough buyers
interested in our products?

39.47 – 40.07:
Then, what about living here:
Will we be able to integrate?
Will our children be accepted here
and get a good education?
I wonder how it will all work out.


40.09 – 40.27: Following the festivities, tensions between the Chinese and the Swedish building authorities return at fever pitch. Luo is desperate to solve the issues. But at root his company Fanerdun, has simply not planned for the legislative hurdles any Swedish building operation needs to overcome.

 40.30 – 40.40: Work on site is limited to cosmetics, and the construction workers have become disheartened. Even they have now lost confidence in the project.

40.41 – 40.47: Since most work was stopped by the health and safety authorities their wages have been halted.


Subtitles – Workers

40.49 – 40.55:
We're out of cigarettes,
and Swedish money.

40.58 – 41.02:
We've gone through
all our spending money.

41.06 – 41.13:
Ask our boss,
can you live on 300 kronor a month?
Luo Jinxing, he's our boss.

41.17 – 41.25: Then the union discovers that the Chinese workers have not been paid according to the agreement. Some workers have not been paid at all.

Subtitles – Mayor
41.29 – 41.56:
They can't do that. They're going to
find out they can't do that in Sweden.
It's one of the reasons
Luo established himself here.
He said that there's been
no war in Sweden, it's stable...
With stable game rules and
not much corruption - none at all.
If you want to do business in Sweden
you have to follow Swedish rules.

Voice over
41.59 – 42.07: Today, Mr Luo is seen less and less in Kalmar, the enthusiasm this project once had, has simply eroded away.

42.14 – 42.22: With construction at a standstill and labour issues unresolved, the last of Luo’s workers have no choice but to return home.  

42.28 – 42.45: The cloud of uncertainty that loomed over the town has returned. But now it’s even worse with Fanerdun owing millions of dollars to local construction companies. What should have been a life saving investment has turned into a millstone around Kalmar’s neck.

42.48 – 42.52: “Chinese raw capitalism has
merely shown its true colors."

42.54 – 42.59: "The owners follow a familiar pattern
in China of paying starvation wages."


43:02 – 43.29 :
Subtitles
-Have you spoken with Mr Luo?
-No, he hasn’t been in touch.
He’s disappeared
I don’t know where he is.
He doesn’t answer his e-mail either.
All his phones are turned off or disconnected.
We can’t reach him.


43.42 – 44:16
Subtitles
-What happened?
-I can’t answer that.
He hasn’t been here personally, he just keeps sending messengers.
Since the project was stopped, we haven’t spoken face to face.
But I hope that day will come
So we can find out what really happened.
The explanation he gives to the press
Is that he had problems due to the financial crisis.

44.22 – 45.11
Subtitles
Luo Jinxing? He’s hiding out.
We haven’t heard from him. He doesn’t answer our emails.
His cell phone is turned off.
We haven’t seen him in a long time.
All the staff have left his office in Hangzhou.
We can’t reach any of the staff we’d had contact with, so we’re very worried.
I’ve rescinded our visa application.
We can’t wait any longer. The whole project seems too shaky.

45.14 –
Subtitles
Everyone I meet asks me:
Are the Chinese coming soon?
Our only contact has been an email from him
Saying our contract has been terminated. “Mr.Luo, China”
You can’t help but feel a bit disappointed in him…