AFL-CIO Art Exhibit: Movies With a Mission

by Mike Hall, Jun 15, 2009

Sprinkled through the movie industry’s filmography of Western shoot ‘em ups, romantic comedies, high drama and science fiction epics, you can find some serious–and sometimes humorous–cinema focused on workers, workplace struggles and economic justice.

A new art exhibit at the AFL-CIO in Washington, D.C. (and here online) presents posters and publicity stills from 29 American and foreign films that incorporate workplace and organizing themes.

The exhibit, “Working Class Heroes: A Selection of Film Posters and Stills,” ranges from well-known and popular films like “Norma Rae” and “The Grapes of Wrath” to lesser recognized works such as “Man of Iron,” a 1981 film that tells the story of the Polish Solidarity movement and its fight for recognition.  Solidarity President Lech Walesa appears in the film as an extra in a wedding scene.

Exhibit curator Rex Weil, a contributing editor at ARTnews who teaches art theory and criticism at the University of Maryland, says:

Many of the films have helped bring public attention to important stories about worker safety, exploitation of immigrant workers, impediments to achieving union recognition and other critical issues. Many are also exceptional works of art.

He also notes a more recent trend in movie making around the world—workers and their families coping with layoffs and other modern economic problems. Says Weil:

“Mondays in the Sun,” “Hula Girls,” “The Full Monty” and “The Navigators” all depict workers coping with closing factories and mines, declining job security, outsourcing and privatization.

Click here to read more from Weil and here to take a look at the classic posters. The exhibit will be on display through November.

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