Labor Day which is also known as the Mayday, is an annual holiday around the world. The day is observed to honor the contributions of all the workers.
Every year Mayday has a special theme. Like another year this year, the very important day has a unique theme. This year’s theme is-
‘HEALTH AND SAFETY IS A FUNDAMENTAL WORKERS’ RIGHT’
Different events, rallies, and programs are held every year to observe the importance of the day.
You can spend the day watching some classic films on labor rights and battles. If you are lucky enough to have some extra time off on this day.
This Labor Day, we take a look back at some of the best films that tackled these issues while also introducing us to interesting characters. Pushpita Karim writes.
Matewan
Matewan is a true story about the harsh lives of coal miners in Matewan, Mingo County. The movie is directed by John Sayles. As a labor union organizer arrives in town, a new type of evangelism emerges in this Baptist community, culminating in the historic Battle of Matewan in 1920, a gunfight between miners and the Baldwin–Felts Detective Agency, the mine owners’ paid agents of violent worker suppression. Matewan is available on Blu-ray.
Support the Girls
Support the Girls is set at Double Whammies, a sports bar run by the irritated but dedicated Lisa (Regina Hall). It is written and directed by Andrew Bujalski. Lisa tries to keep it together as she deals with an ineffective boss, an awkwardly attempted robbery, and personal issues — both her own and those of her all-female crew — over the course of a day. Hall’s grounded performance will knock you out. The script is crisp, the ensemble is colorful, and Hall’s grounded performance will knock you out.
The Measure of a Man
The Measure of a Man is a heartbreaking portrayal of a middle-aged man who battles to maintain his dignity after losing his job. Vincent Lindon is sad as he applies for jobs, attends retraining classes, and eventually finds work, in a performance that won him the best actor prize at Cannes in 2015. His new work, however, quickly puts him under a lot of quiet, merciless strain. The film’s most agonizing parts aren’t dramatic lectures or didactic critiques of capitalism. It is directed by Stéphane Brizé. The original title in French is “La Loi du Marché,” or “Market Law”. Instead, we see little setbacks wreak havoc on a fine man’s spirit.
Stanley Ka Dabba
It is a very notable Bollywood film that is based on child labor. Child labor is a growing problem in most Asian developing countries. India also facing the same. The movie, Stanley Ka Dabba also highlights the same topic of child labor. Stanley ka Dabba is a film written and directed by Amole Gupte. The movie portrays ‘Stanley’ who does not have his Mother. Seeing his classmates he always feels to have his own mother. Stanley satisfies himself of creating an imaginary mother that is looking after him. Later, viewers come to know the reality that Stanley works under his brash uncle in an inn, his job is to serve food to people clean up the mess, wash plates and many works.In short he is a child laborer. The theme of this movie was to show India that there are millions and millions of Stanleys that we will find everywhere.
Roma
Roma is a Mexican film about the life of an indigenous live-in housekeeper that won an Oscar. Alfonso Cuarón is the director of the picture. Cleo, played by Yalitza Aparicio, is a maid who looks after the children of a wealthy family and cleans their home. When Cleo becomes pregnant, her boyfriend abandons her. When her boss takes her shopping for the baby one day, they become caught up in a brawl between student protesters, including her ex-boyfriend, and a paramilitary organization. In Mexico City, the film is a leisurely, absorbing investigation of traumas, race, and class.
So grab some popcorn and settle in this weekend to watch them to make your weekend more fascinating and less boring!
