When a Chinese billionaire opens a new factory in economically depressed Dayton, Ohio, its residents are promised communal growth, jobs, and a future for their children. As the trailer for Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar’s “American Factory” reveals, the actual situation is much more complicated.

While some Ohioans have spent the past few years “struggling to get back to middle class again,” workers from China grapple with the realities of leaving their families and home for up to two years. “American Factory” follows management, locals, and Chinese workers alike as they struggle with issues of production, unionization, language, and culture.

“American Factory” took home this year’s Directing Award for U.S. Documentary following its Sundance debut. Netflix and Higher Ground Productions — led by Barack and Michelle Obama — nabbed the distribution rights quickly thereafter. It has continued to successfully make its way through the festival circuit; it opened the 22nd Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and was AFI DOC’s Centerpiece Screening.

Reichert previously received Oscar nods for documentary features “Union Maids,” a profile of three Depression-era union organizers, and “Seeing Red,” which examines the American Communist Party. “The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant,” also co-directed by Bognar, received an Oscar nom for Best Documentary Short and features the same Ohioan plant in “American Factory.” Reichert took home the Outstanding Achievement Award at this year’s Hot Docs Festival.

“American Factory” will premiere in select theaters and on Netflix August 21.