The True Cost
An investigative look into the environmental costs of the fast fashion industry, from production—and the life of low wage workers in developing countries—to its after-effects such as river and soil pollution, pesticide contamination, disease and death.

Investigation of fast fashion reveals that while the price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically. It discusses several aspects of the garment industry from production—mainly exploring the life of low wage workers in developing countries—to its after-effects such as river and soil pollution, pesticide contamination, disease and death. Includes interviews with activists and workers. Includes a take action campaign.
Website summary: This is a story about clothing. It’s about the clothes we wear, the people who make them, and the impact the industry is having on our world. The price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, while the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically. The True Cost is a groundbreaking documentary film that pulls back the curtain on the untold story and asks us to consider, who really pays the price for our clothing? Filmed in countries all over the world, from the brightest runways to the darkest slums, and featuring interviews with the world’s leading influencers including Stella McCartney, Livia Firth and Vandana Shiva, The True Cost is an unprecedented project that invites us on an eye opening journey around the world and into the lives of the many people and places behind our clothes.
View the discussion guide and other screening resources provided by Bullfrog Communities.
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"This is the very best of all the documentaries I have seen about the fashion industry...The filmmakers show how clothing companies waste the lives of young women in the 'third world.' Their greed also threatens the 'first world' in a way that ultimately threatens the planet. This is a film you must see!" -- Ellen Rosen, Women's Studies Research Center, Brandeis University, Author, Making Sweatshops: The Globalization of the U.S. Apparel Industry
Citation
Main credits
Morgan, Andrew (screenwriter)
Morgan, Andrew (film director)
Morgan, Andrew (narrator)
Ross, Michael (film producer)
Ross, Michael (film editor)
Siegle, Lucy (interviewee)
Other credits
Original music, Duncan Blickenstaff; editor, Michael Ross.
Distributor credits
Michael Ross
Andrew Morgan
Director – Andrew Morgan
Producer – Michael Ross
Executive Producer – Lucy Siegle, Livia Firth, Vincent Vittorio, Christopher L. Harvey
Associate Producer – Laura Piety
Docuseek subjects
North American Studies
Water
Toxic Chemicals
Environmental Health
Illness, Disease and Disorders
Sustainability
Americas, The
Toxic Waste
Trade
Working Conditions
Occupational Health and Safety
Capitalism
Manufacturing
Corporate Social Responsibility
Citizenship, Social Movements and Activism
Human Rights
Race and Racism
Global / International Studies
Consumers
Globalization
Communication and Media Studies
Journalism and the Press
Media Literacy
Environmental Education
Environmentalists
Pollution
Ethics
South Asia
United States
Asian Studies
Distributor subjects
Asian Studies
Capitalism
Consumerism
Corporate Social Responsibility
Fashion
Labour Studies
Manufacturing
Occupational Health and Safety
Trade Unions
United States
Keywords
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