This anthology of three rarely-seen short documentaries from 1975 represents some of the finest work of Kartemquin Films, a Chicago collective specializing in socially relevant nonfiction cinema. Viewed today, the films offer a remarkable historical record of organized labor's attempts to address issues of social disparity during one of the nation's most challenging economic periods. “HSA Strike ‘75" is unique for its focus on white-collar professionals: physicians at Chicago's Cook County Hospital agitating for better healthcare for their poorer patients. “U.E. Wells” puts the lens on a blue-collar struggle, chronicling the efforts of the United Electrical Workers to unionize a cast-iron foundry run by an anti-union management team. “What's Happening at Local 70" follows workers in the field of unemployment compensation who go on strike because of their own bad working conditions. The films never feel like union propaganda, but rather civil rights campaigns in which the quest for fair treatment is at the crux of the struggle (in fact, the Kartemquin titles offer a much-needed reminder on how to frame issues within political nonfiction filmmaking without falling victim to self-indulgence or obnoxious agitprop). The conflicts here may be three decades old, but the human drama is timeless. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)
Labor Stories
(1975) 55 min. DVD: $29.95. Facets Video. Color cover. ISBN: 1-5658-0538-0. Volume 21, Issue 5
Labor Stories
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