In solidarity with the striking writers in Los Angeles, I pulled out Salt of the Earth. This film from 1954 was made by blacklisted directors, producers and sponsored by the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers. Very few U.S. theaters showed the film once it was made (which was its own struggle) because the Projectionists Union refused to play it, newspapers refused to carry ads for it; in the end, the thirteen theaters that showed it were picketed.
It showed in just about every other country, though. It's the true story of Mexican-American zinc miners in New Mexico who were discriminated against and finally decided that to strike would be the only way to get justice. The miners are enjoined from picketing, so the women take over. The strike lasted for fifteen months.
The sound quality is terrible, and there are no subtitles, but it's an amazing film. The character of Esperanza is incredible.
I highly recommend seeing the film and reading more about it. I'm very pro-union and don't think we have evolved beyond needing unions. I hope the writers in L.A. are able to negotiate a settlement quickly that is fair and just. CSI:NY has gotten off to a great start and I would hate to see the season cut short!
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Salt of the Earth; supporting the writer strikes in L.A.
Nov 8, 2007 @ 21:53
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In solidarity with the striking writers in Los Angeles, I pulled out Salt of the Earth. This film from 1954 was made by blacklisted directors, producers and sponsored by the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers. Very few U.S. theaters showed the film once it was made (which was its own struggle) because the Projectionists Union refused to play it, newspapers refused to carry ads for it; in the end, the thirteen theaters that showed it were picketed.
It showed in just about every other country, though. It's the true story of Mexican-American zinc miners in New Mexico who were discriminated against and finally decided that to strike would be the only way to get justice. The miners are enjoined from picketing, so the women take over. The strike lasted for fifteen months.
The sound quality is terrible, and there are no subtitles, but it's an amazing film. The character of Esperanza is incredible.
I highly recommend seeing the film and reading more about it. I'm very pro-union and don't think we have evolved beyond needing unions. I hope the writers in L.A. are able to negotiate a settlement quickly that is fair and just. CSI:NY has gotten off to a great start and I would hate to see the season cut short!
misskateNov 8, 2007 @ 21:53
It showed in just about every other country, though. It's the true story of Mexican-American zinc miners in New Mexico who were discriminated against and finally decided that to strike would be the only way to get justice. The miners are enjoined from picketing, so the women take over. The strike lasted for fifteen months.
The sound quality is terrible, and there are no subtitles, but it's an amazing film. The character of Esperanza is incredible.
I highly recommend seeing the film and reading more about it. I'm very pro-union and don't think we have evolved beyond needing unions. I hope the writers in L.A. are able to negotiate a settlement quickly that is fair and just. CSI:NY has gotten off to a great start and I would hate to see the season cut short!
misskateNov 8, 2007 @ 21:53
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