Since the release of the defining 1970s documentary 'Harlan County, USA', film-makers have captured workers' tenacity and solidarity in labour struggles. The film, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, was followed by Barbara Kopple's 'American Dream', restored and re-released this week by Janus Films. Both works use cinema vérité to depict the frustration and perseverance of striking workers.
The documentaries that followed, such as 'Final Offer' and 'American Standoff', carry the DNA of 'Harlan County, USA'. More recent films like 'Union' and the upcoming 'Who Moves America' continue the tradition, examining Amazon and UPS workers' efforts to organise. These stories offer underdog narratives with added weight from a shared history of class struggle.
Recurring scenes—organisers rallying members, workers worrying about families, tensions on picket lines—reflect the rigorous processes of union action and predictable corporate tactics. While the core labour crisis remains constant, each film's ground-level focus highlights a changing American labour landscape, from the Reagan-era setbacks to modern challenges.
Historical context is provided by earlier activism, such as the 'Bloody Harlan' strikes of the 1930s, referenced in Kopple's film with Florence Reece's protest song 'Which Side Are You On?'. Traditional archival documentaries like 'With Babies and Banners' and 'American Agitators' also explore this history, reminding viewers that union struggles have deep roots.
