Bread & Roses
When you have nothing, you have nothing to lose.
From acclaimed director Ken Loach comes the gripping story of a group of immigrant workers who take a stand against the million dollar corporations who employ them. Newly arrived illegal immigrant Maya (Pilar Padilla) has just joined her sister on the job as a janitor in a downtown LA office building. Appalled at the work conditions and unfair labor practices, she teams up with Sam (Adrien Brody) a labor organizer, to fight their ruthless employer.
Member Reviews
Not bad for a political film - zaakistan
Being a winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes, I had hoped this film would be a little less of a polemic, but I still enjoyed it.
Beginning with a very tense (though almost slapstick) illegal immigration to the United States from Mexico, Maya seeks employment in Los Angeles as a janitor. She very soon meets a union organizer who stirs the pot enough for the exploitative employers to retaliate.
The acting in the film is perhaps a bit over the top and the film makers can't quite decide if the film is a heavy drama or a light one.
It is clear that from this picture, which is based on true events, that unions have a role to lift up the downtrodden, but what isn't discussed is the negative side of unions, nor the issue of illegal labourers. It's an important issue and one more films should portray.Remembering why unions are needed - Critica
Perhaps overly optimistic, presenting a simplisitc view of just how difficult it is to bring frightened, poor, immigrant or illegals together to a fight an oppressive employer. However, for the socialist or left of centre in all...many of us, this is a must see. Certainly a must for viewing for students of labour studies.
Member Reviews
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Not bad for a political film - zaakistan
Being a winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes, I had hoped this film would be a little less of a polemic, but I still enjoyed it.
Beginning with a very tense (though almost slapstick) illegal immigration to the United States from Mexico, Maya seeks employment ...Remembering why unions are needed - Critica
Perhaps overly optimistic, presenting a simplisitc view of just how difficult it is to bring frightened, poor, immigrant or illegals together to a fight an oppressive employer. However, for the socialist or left of centre in all...many of us, this is a must ...