60m; U.S.
Director: Robert K. Sharpe
Synopsis: Story of Ellis Bailey, a retired miner, who led the citizens of Raleigh County to fight against unscrupulous strip mining companies and to obtain State legislation to regulate stripping in the name of environmental conservation.
45m; U.S.
Director: Tia Lessin
Synopsis: Expose of sweatshop conditions on Saipan.
Contact: Witness; 212-274-1664 witness@witness.org tia@igc.org Winner 2002 Sidney Hillman Award http://www.uniteunion.org/pressbox/050102-hillman.html
Synopsis: Thailand’s booming economy rests on the exploitation of rural women. Through portraits of three women, we see the human cost of the country’s rapid industrialization.
Australia
Director: Sandra Pires
Synopsis: A history of coal mining in the Illawarra in Australia, including the 1887 strike at Old Bulli Colliery and Australia’s two most tragic and largest industrial disasters.
Contact: Sandra Pires, Director/Producer sandra@whydocumentaries.com.au Tel: 02 4285 3545 | Fax: 02 4285 7560 | Mob: 0418 452 088 http://www.beneathblackskies.com.au
3m; U.S.
Director: Hope Tucker
Synopsis: Life of garment workers.
56m; Canada
Director: Elaine Brière
The story of the little-known struggle of merchant seamen to save the merchant fleet and their livelihood. It traces the history of Canadian shipping from the international strike of 1949 to the globalization of coastal shipping in Australia by Canada Steamship Lines — owned by the family of Canadian Prime Minister, Paul Martin
59m; U.S.
Director: Ken Fink
Synopsis: New Yorker filmmaker Ken Fink made this film after interviewing hundreds of coal miners. He eventually interviewed members of three different generations – a retired miner, a black middle-aged miner, and a miner who tried to leave the mountains only to return. They give their attitudes toward their profession, often reflecting the deep frustrations involved with the industry. This film is partially funded by the Humanities Foundation of West Virginia and has been shown on WSWP TV. It was also shown at film festivals throughout the United States. A recent book, “Glass Castles” talks about these filmmakers coming to Welch, the county seat of McDowell County.
Contact: WVLC and Icarus Films
56m; U.S.
Director: Vanessa Gould
This unusual 56-minute documentary features stunning art created by folding single sheets of paper; introduces ten artists, some with serious scientific credentials; and shows fascinating links between science and art. Will be shown on PBS’ Independent Lens in December, 2009. See the film’s web site for other screenings.
40m; South Korea
Director: Labor News Production
Synopsis: Samsung’s surveillance of workers outside workplace
Contact: www.lnp89.org
91m; U.S.
Director: Michael Moore
Synopsis: On his book tour, Michael Moore exposes more wrongdoing by greedy big businesses and callous politicians around America.
THE LABOR FILM DATABASE 