Revolutionary Film Series: Salt of the Earth
Based on an actual strike against the Empire Zinc Mine in New Mexico, the film
deals with the prejudice against the Mexican-American workers, who struck to
attain wage parity with Anglo workers in other mines and to be treated with
dignity by the bosses. The film is an early treatment of feminism, because the
wives of the miners play a pivotal role in the strike, against their husbands
wishes. In the end, the greatest victory for the workers and their families is
the realization that prejudice and poor treatment are conditions that are not
always imposed by outside forces. This film was written, directed and produced
by members of the original "Hollywood Ten," who were blacklisted for refusing to
answer Congressional inquiries on First Amendment grounds.
Running Time: 94 minutes
To be followed by discussion.
