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Category Archives: Documentary

West Virginia’s Underground Economy (2006)

30m; U.S.

Synopsis: A short film documenting West Virginian companies importing employees from out of the state, paying cash to employees to avoid taxes, and using other underhanded tactics . Also seventeen TV commercials about the WV Jobs Act, 40-hour workweek, outsourcing, clean water, business development and other themes.

Contact: Affiliated Construction Trades Foundation- A Division of the West Virginia State Building and Construction Trades Council – AFL-CIO tttp://www.actwv.org/commercials.mx. Commercials about unfair practices are at Access: http://actwvvideo.merlix.com/

 

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Westray (2001)

Synopsis: Canadian mining disaster.

 
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Posted by on June 13, 2012 in Documentary, Safety & Health

 

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West of the Tracks (2003)

545m; China

Director: Wang Bing

 
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Posted by on June 13, 2012 in Documentary

 

Western Coal – An American Dilemma (1980)

21m; U.S.

Synopsis: This films investigates the various issues and conflicts arising out of the extensive strip mining activities in and around a small Montana town. One one side are the coal companies, ranchers who want to sell their land, work men who need jobs and merchants who need the business. On the other side are ranchers and towns people joined by legislators who are concerned about destruction of their land and their way of life. Supported by the Tri-State Humanities Commission. The film helped establish a dialogue between the opposing sides.

 
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Posted by on June 13, 2012 in Documentary, Organizing

 

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Wetback: The Undocumented Documentary (2005)

97m; U.S.

Director: Arturo Perez Torres, Heather Haynes

Synopsis: Wetback, a quietly commanding documentary, follows in the footsteps of immigrants traveling from Nicaragua to the United States. On their journeys, they encounter gangs and vigilantes, as well as border patrol. But these immigrants navigate real-life nightmares with uncanny calm, grace, even humor. And director Arturo Perez Torres does all of us a favor by getting out of the way and allowing them to tell their stories.

Contact: http://www.ironweedfilms.com/films/wetback

 

What Does Trouble Mean? Nate Smith’s Revolution (2009)

56m; U.S.

Director: Jim Seguin

Synopsis: Bio-pic doc of Nate Smith who led protests against black exclusion from white unions.

Contact: http://www.natesmithmovie.ocm

 

What Harvest for the Reaper (1968)

59m;  U.S.

Synopsis (Library of Congress): “A documentary of immigrant farm workers trapped by perpetual debt and showing recruitment, camp conditions and the type of work they do. The views of the growers and processors as well as workers are presented.”

 
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Posted by on June 13, 2012 in Documentary, Farm & Food

 

When Clouds Clear / Después de la Neblina (2008)

77m; Ecuador/U.S.

Director: Danielle Bernstein & Anne Slick

Synopsis: A documentary about the history and struggle of the remote Ecuadorian town, Junín and the conflicts that have arisen due to international mining interests.

Contact: Danielle Bernstein, Clear Films danielle@clearfilms.org

 
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Posted by on June 13, 2012 in Documentary, Organizing

 

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When Miners March (2006)

7 discs

Director: Ross Ballard

Synopsis: William C. Blizzard, the son of Bill Blizzard, the “general” of the Battle of Blair Mountain, with the assistance of Wess Harris, compiled his many accounts of the West Virginia Mine Wars in his book, “When Miners March.” He had written most of the book for various labor publications anonymously in the 1950s. In 2005 Ross Ballard took the book and turned it into a monumental “audio movie,” complete with sound effects and original music. Songs on the special CD are by T. Paige Dalporto, Elaine Purkey, Hazel Dickens, Mike Morningstar, John Lilly and the Irish duo of Enda Cullen and Ian Smith.

Contact: http://www.mountainwhispers.com/MWGiftShop.htm.

 

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When the Day’s Work is Done (1964)

30m; 29 min. sd. b&w. 16 mm.

Describes the work of union members who devote their after-work hours to the aid of their neighbors and the betterment of their communities. Features AFL-CIO president George Meany and vice-president Joseph Beirne.

Available from:

University of Maryland Libraries
Theodore R. McKeldin Library
College Park, MD 20742 United States

Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24062 United States

 
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Posted by on June 13, 2012 in Documentary, Labor History