Here's something you might be interested in.
The May Day Workers Film Festival is a grass roots organization made up of local San Diego workers and students volunteering their time to "celebrate labor and people’s struggles for May Day."
This is the organization's first festival and they promise to "screen films representing a diverse look at workers and immigrants in the United States and around the globe as we continue to fight for labor rights, dignity and respect."
The 4-day festival will take place at the Media Arts Center San Diego, the Central Library, and a still-to-be-determined venue. Some of the screenings are free of charge, but, as you will be reminded throughout the post, donations are welcome at the door.
Here is the list of films to be screened. Click for more information.
Friday April 26, 9pm at The Media Arts Center
The festival kicks off with an outdoor screening of Peter Miller's documentary Sacco and Vanzetti (2006). Ferdinando Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were suspected anarchists convicted of murdering two men during the 1920 armed robbery of a Massachusetts shoe factory. After a controversial (and highly prejudiced) trial and a series of appeals, the two Italian immigrants were executed in Boston on August 23, 1927. There will be a live presentation of "a punk rock opera of the 1912 San Diego Free Speech Fight" at 8pm, followed at 9pm by S&V. Seating for this outdoor event is limited to 100. Arrive early to ensure a spot. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.
Saturday April 27, time and location TBD
Vicky Funari and Sergio de la Torre's documentary Maquilapolis (2006) focuses on maquiladoras, massive sweatshops often owned by the world's largest multinational corporations. We follow Carmen Durán, one of six million women around the world who labor for poverty wages, as she works the graveyard shift in one of Tijuana’s 800 maquiladoras. Guest speakers include members of the San Diego Maquiladora Workers’ Solidarity Network. Check their website for time and location.
Sunday April 28, 2pm at the San Diego Central Library, 820 E St., 3rd Floor Auditorium
According to the program notes, "China Blue takes us inside a blue-jeans factory, where Jasmine and her friends Orchid and Li Ping, are trying to survive the harsh working environment. Their lives intersect that of the film’s other protagonist and factory owner, Mr. Lam. Providing perspectives from both the top and bottom levels of the factory’s hierarchy, this film brings complex issues of globalization to the human level." Admission is free with voluntary donations accepted at the door.
Wednesday May 1, 9pm at at The Media Arts Center's Digital Gym
Ghosts With Shit Jobs. At one point or another we've all identified with the title. Canadian filmmaker Jim Munroe's "faux documentary" supposes what the future will look like once the global economy has flipped and North Americans are a cheap labor pool for wealthy Asian markets. The "lo-fi sci-fi film" was over four years in the making with an all volunteer cast and crew. Admission for the show is $10.50. Visit the Digital Gym to purchase tickets in advance and mention "May Day." They'll knock 50% off the ticket price.
The May Day Workers Film Festival is a grass roots organization made up of local San Diego workers and students volunteering their time to "celebrate labor and people’s struggles for May Day."
This is the organization's first festival and they promise to "screen films representing a diverse look at workers and immigrants in the United States and around the globe as we continue to fight for labor rights, dignity and respect."
The 4-day festival will take place at the Media Arts Center San Diego, the Central Library, and a still-to-be-determined venue. Some of the screenings are free of charge, but, as you will be reminded throughout the post, donations are welcome at the door.
Here is the list of films to be screened. Click for more information.
Friday April 26, 9pm at The Media Arts Center
The festival kicks off with an outdoor screening of Peter Miller's documentary Sacco and Vanzetti (2006). Ferdinando Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were suspected anarchists convicted of murdering two men during the 1920 armed robbery of a Massachusetts shoe factory. After a controversial (and highly prejudiced) trial and a series of appeals, the two Italian immigrants were executed in Boston on August 23, 1927. There will be a live presentation of "a punk rock opera of the 1912 San Diego Free Speech Fight" at 8pm, followed at 9pm by S&V. Seating for this outdoor event is limited to 100. Arrive early to ensure a spot. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.
Saturday April 27, time and location TBD
Vicky Funari and Sergio de la Torre's documentary Maquilapolis (2006) focuses on maquiladoras, massive sweatshops often owned by the world's largest multinational corporations. We follow Carmen Durán, one of six million women around the world who labor for poverty wages, as she works the graveyard shift in one of Tijuana’s 800 maquiladoras. Guest speakers include members of the San Diego Maquiladora Workers’ Solidarity Network. Check their website for time and location.
Sunday April 28, 2pm at the San Diego Central Library, 820 E St., 3rd Floor Auditorium
According to the program notes, "China Blue takes us inside a blue-jeans factory, where Jasmine and her friends Orchid and Li Ping, are trying to survive the harsh working environment. Their lives intersect that of the film’s other protagonist and factory owner, Mr. Lam. Providing perspectives from both the top and bottom levels of the factory’s hierarchy, this film brings complex issues of globalization to the human level." Admission is free with voluntary donations accepted at the door.
Wednesday May 1, 9pm at at The Media Arts Center's Digital Gym
Ghosts With Shit Jobs. At one point or another we've all identified with the title. Canadian filmmaker Jim Munroe's "faux documentary" supposes what the future will look like once the global economy has flipped and North Americans are a cheap labor pool for wealthy Asian markets. The "lo-fi sci-fi film" was over four years in the making with an all volunteer cast and crew. Admission for the show is $10.50. Visit the Digital Gym to purchase tickets in advance and mention "May Day." They'll knock 50% off the ticket price.