23rd ANNUAL ROCHESTER LABOR FILM SERIES OPENS SEPTEMBER 7

Rochester, N.Y. -- In 1989, the Rochester Labor Council held its first Labor Film Series. Co-sponsored by the George Eastman House, the first series included nine classics that were screened at the Dryden Theatre including, Norma Rae, Matewan, The Organizer, Sacco and Vanzetti, Native Land, and Harlan County, U.S.A. Now in its 23rd year, the series continues to bring labor-themed dramatic films, comedies, and documentaries to the Rochester community.

Today, the RLFS is a joint effort of the Rochester Labor Council and the Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House that celebrate the lives of workers.  The first annual film program of its kind in the nation, it shows feature films and documentaries depicting important aspects of work usually marginalized or absent on the screens of commercial theaters. These films from around the world are selected to inform, provoke and inspire.  

Six of this year's eight films are Rochester premieres, films you've never seen on the big screen! Several are by returning directors (Craig Zobel, Yung Chang, Laurent Cantet, Michael Glawogger).  

See the Film Schedule for screening times.

The films depict the work of diverse occupations, including the physical labor of sanitation (Trash Dance) and fish packing (Downeast), the bodily work of boxing (China Heavyweight) and prostitution (Whore's Glory), the emotional stress of teaching (The Class) and healthcare (The Lips), and the vagaries of secretarial (She Married Her Boss) and fast-food work (Compliance).

See you at the movies!

The Labor Film Series is made possible by the commitment and generosity of many unions and friends of labor.

Solidarity Sponsors

·         Pettengill Labor Education Fund

·         Rochester Area Labor Federation

·         Rochester Building & Construction Trades Council

·         Pride At Work, AFL-CIO Rochester & Finger Lakes Chapter

·         Monroe County Social Workers, IUE-CWA Local 38381

·         Monroe County Federation of Teachers NYSUT, Rochester Regional Office

·         Rochester Teachers Association, NYSUT Local 616 MCC Faculty Association, NYSUT Local 2842

·         UUP Geneseo

·         Civil Service Employees Association, Monroe County Local 828

·         American Postal Workers Union, Local 215

·         United Auto Workers, Local 1097

·         Electrical Workers, Local 86

·         Laborers Local 435

·         Health and Hospital Workers, SEIU 1199

·         UHWE National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 210

·         Teamsters Local 118

·         Rochester Regional Joint Board of Workers United PEF Region 3

·         UUP Statewide Firefighters 1071

·         Rochester Police Locust Club

·         SUNY-Empire State College, Genesee Valley CWA 1170

·         CSEA Region 6 UFCW District 1

·         CBTU-Rochester

·         Next Generation United

·         Finger Lakes Occupational Health Services

·         DC Labor Film Fest

Friends of Labor Sponsors

·         Metro-Justice

·         Rochester Committee on Latin America

·         Ciudad Hermana

·         El Sauce

·         NOFA-NY

·         RIT Sociology & Anthropology

·         U of R Anthropology

Film Series Benefactor

(Members of OPEIU Local 277, Providing Union Label Life Insurance)

Ticket Information:
CSEA and members can call Barb at the Local 828 HQ at 328.5250 or stop by in person at the Arts Division of the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County, 2^nd Floor, Bausch & Lomb Public Library Building, 115 South Ave., Rochester, N.Y. Sponsoring organizations receive complimentary tickets. Other admission is by GEH pass or tickets at the box office. Screenings are at the Dryden Theatre, George Eastman House, 900 East Avenue.