Stories of prostitution around the world. The documentary revolves around the lives and individual hopes, needs and experiences of the women.
directed by Robert Greenwald
Not only is Big Brother now watching your every move, the Government is also preventing you from speaking out. In our new full length documentary War on Whistleblowers: Free Press and the National Security State we tell the stories of four people who were silenced and the journalists who were finally able to get their voices heard.
Brad Lichtenstein
US, documentary
83m
http://asgoesjanesville.com/
Goes to the front lines over the future of America’s middle class – by insightfully tracking the recent battle over union rights in Wisconsin, and by focusing on the hometown of the former Republican vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan. First, General Motors shut down Janesville’s century-old auto plant, leading to massive layoffs. Then, newly elected governor Scott Walker ignited a firestorm by ending collective bargaining and unleashing a protest movement that led to his recall election. Director Brad Lichtenstein followed the lives of Janesville’s auto workers for over three years, as they tried to save their jobs.
<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/53693696″>”As Goes Janesville” Official Theatrical Trailer</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/371productions”>371 Productions</a> on <a href=”http://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>Dir: Sam Newman and Susan Sipprelle
US, documentary
66m
http://www.overfiftyandoutofwork.com/videos/documentary/
Follows three Baby Boomers who attempt to recover from the devastating impact of losing their jobs during the Great Recession. The film shows their struggle to hang onto their homes, health insurance, and hope. Over time, the three boomers learn to cope with unemployment’s drastic effects on their lives, including the loss of economic security and ultimately their loss of confidence in the American Dream.
Susan Sipprelle <susansipprelle@gmail.com>
directed by véréna paravel & lucien castaing-taylor
US
documentary
a thrilling, immersive documentary that takes you deep inside the dangerous world of commercial fishing. Set aboard a hulking fishing vessel as it navigates the treacherous waves off the New England coast-the very waters that once inspired Moby Dick- the film captures the harsh, unforgiving world of the fishermen in starkly haunting, yet beautiful detail. Employing an arsenal of cameras that pass freely from film crew to ship crew, and swoop from below sea level to astonishing bird’s-eye views, LEVIATHAN is unlike anything you have ever seen; a purely visceral, cinematic experience.
http://www.arretetoncinema.org/leviathan/
<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/58995554″>Leviathan (trailer)</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/cinemaguild”>Cinema Guild</a> on <a href=”http://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>directed by Ken Loach
UK
Documentary
An impassioned documentary about how the spirit of unity which buoyed Britain during the war years carried through to create a vision of a fairer, united society
1945 was a pivotal year in British history. The unity that carried Britain through the war allied to the bitter memories of the inter-war years led to a vision of a better society. The spirit of the age was to be our brothers and our sisters keeper.
Director Ken Loach has used film from Britain’s regional and national archives, alongside sound recordings and contemporary interviews to create a rich political and social narrative. The Spirit of 45 hopes to illuminate and celebrate a period of unprecedented community spirit in the UK, the impact of which endured for many years and which may yet be rediscovered today.
Distributor: Dogwoof
Patrick Hurley
patrick@dogwoof.com
The Spirit of ’45 – first look review (The Guardian)
The Spirit of ’45: Berlin Review (The Hollywood Reporter)
US
101m
documentary
http://www.brooklyncastle.com/
Tells the stories of five members of the chess team at a below-the-poverty-line inner city junior high school that has won more national championships than any other in the country. The film follows the challenges these kids face in their personal lives as well as on the chessboard, and is as much about the sting of their losses as it is about the anticipation of their victories. Ironically, the biggest obstacle thrust upon them arises not from other competitors but from recessionary budget cuts to all the extracurricular activities at their school. BROOKLYN CASTLE shows how these kids’ dedication to chess magnifies their belief in what is possible for their lives. After all, if they can master the world’s most difficult game, what can’t they do?
Global Labor Film Festival Launches on May Day
The first-ever Global Labor Film Festival kicks off on May Day 2013, as labor film festivals from around the world launch more than a dozen screenings of labor films, from the classics like Salt of the Earth and Reds to brand-new films like Dreamwork China, Harvest of Empire and The War on Whistleblowers. The Global Labor Film Festival is an opportunity to showcase the growing worldwide scope of more than two dozen film festivals focused on films about work, workers and their issues. Labor film festivals around the globe will screen a labor-themed film of their choice during the month of May, chosen because May 1 — International Workers’ Day — is a national holiday in more than 80 countries and celebrated unofficially in many other countries. Click on links below for full details; additional logos also available below.
Barre, VT: May 5: Salt of the Earth (Labor Film Night at the Socialist Labor Party
Hall)
Delray Beach. FL: May 15; Set for Life; Divide & Never Got a Dime; Delray Beach, Florida: (Workers Unite Film Festival SouthEast)
Dublin, Ireland: May 25: The Angels’ Share (Progressive Film Club)
Haifa, Israel: May 1: Sharqiya (Haifa International Labor Film Festival)
Istanbul, Turkey: May 3: The Invisible Subtitler (Laborfest Turkey)
London, UK: May 12: Fire in Babylon (London Socialist Film Co-op)
London & Manchester, UK: May 1 & 2: Burn (London Labour Film Festival)
New York City, NY: May 16: Iron Slaves, In Dreamworks China, Salty Dog Blues, Land, Rain and Fire, Frozen Happiness, The Welfare Myth (Workers Unite Film Festival)
New York City, NY: May 10: My Son the Fanatic (Labor Goes to the Movies)
Norway: May 1: A virtual labor filmfest, 24 hours of recommendations – and links – to online labour films and trailers (Norwegian May 1st Labour Film Art Fest)
Rochester, NY: May 1: Reds (Rochester Labor Film Series)
San Diego, CA: May 1: Ghosts with Shit Jobs (May Day Workers Film Festival)
San Jose, CA: May 1: AbUSed: The Postville Raid (Reel Work Labor Film Festival)
San Pedro, CA: May 18: North Country (San Pedro Labor Fest)
San Francisco, CA: May 1: Dreamwork China (San Francisco LaborFest)
Santa Cruz, CA: May 1: Harvest Of Empire (Reel Work Labor Film Festival)
Washington, DC: May 7: The War on Whistleblowers (DC Labor FilmFest)
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia: May 4: We Work to Live! (Australian International Labour Film Festival)
May 5: Salt of the Earth
Labor Film Night at the Socialist Labor Party Hall
Barre, Vermont (46 Granite Street)
4p, Free. Refreshments.
This classic 1954 film, based on actual events, tells the story of a strike by Mexican-American zinc miners. Written, directed and produced by members of the Hollywood 10, the film highlights racism, sexism, and blacklisting.
Click here for event poster.
http://oldlaborhall.com/
Ruth Ruttenberg: rruttenberg@nlc.edu
May 1: Sharqiya (2012)
Dir: Ami Livne
Israel / 2012
84 minutes
Hebrew, Arabic (Subtitles: English)
Kamel lives with his brother and sister-in law at the edge of the Negev desert on land that has been in their Bedouin family since the Ottoman Empire. But since they have no paperwork to prove their ownership, their claim is disputed by the Israeli government. State officials eventually hand down an order for demolition of the family’s few small shacks. These strains take the toll on the family, exacerbating existing tensions. Kamel serves as a security guard at a central bus station. Khaled resents his brother’s willingness to work for the very government that is causing their problems, despite his reliance on Kamel’s income. When the brothers try to appeal the demolition order, even the Bedouin Authority office advises them to accept compensation and abandon their land. The situation seems hopeless, until Kamel comes up with a plan.
The International Labor Film Festival in Israel runs May 1-7 at the Haifa Cinematheque.
Eliyahu Zigdon ellie.zigdon@gmail.com
THE LABOR FILM DATABASE 