Film Screening of "The Salt of the Earth" in honor of May Day
Primary tabs
In honor of May Day, this controversial 1954 film which brings up issues of racism, labor rights, and women's rights will be shown at the Flying Squirrel Community Space.
The film is based on based on the 1951 strike against the Empire Zinc Company in Grant County, New Mexico. The Mexican American miners striking for the equity in pay, workers safety and rights. The film also depicts the struggle of the women and how they slowly get more and more involved in the strike and change the sexist thinking of the men.
The film written by Michael Wilson, directed by Herbert J. Biberman, and produced by Paul Jarrico. All had been blacklisted by the Hollywood establishment due to their alleged involvement in communist politics. The film was denounced by the United States House of Representatives for its communist sympathies, and the FBI investigated the film's financing. After it opened in NYC, the film only showed in 12 theaters because others refused to screen it.
