Screening: SALT OF THE EARTH

Ruskin House Film Screen

True story of a 1951 strike, by Mexican-American miners, a pro-labour classic film created by blacklisted filmmakers

Ruskin House

<ul><li>‘A great film, not to be missed.’ [Dilys Powell, Sunday Times]</li><li>‘Skilful screenplay, picture with integrity, pace, magnificent camerawork and music, acting touches greatness.’ [Gerald Kaufman, Tribune]</li><li>‘The First feature film ever made in the U.S. of labour, by labour and for labour.’ [Herbert Biberman, director, and Michael Wilson, screenwriter]</li><li>Best Foreign Film, France, 1954</li></ul> Salt of the Earth is the story of a 15-month strike by Mexican-American workers at a zinc mine in New Mexico. Based on a real strike in 1951, it's cast mostly by the miners and their families involved, and was supported by the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers. The filmmakers had been blacklisted by Hollywood in 1950, under McCarthy's House Committee on Un-American Activities’ witch-hunt. (The film's screenwriter, Michael Wilson, also wrote numerous successful films including: A Place in the Sun, Five Fingers, Friendly Persuasion , A Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia. Due to the blacklist, much of his work went uncredited until years later.)Among many assaults on the film's production was the deportation to Mexico, on trumped-up charges, of the Mexican actress Rosaura Revueltas. The U.S. government tried everything to stymie the filming, processing and distribution. An FBI agent's report stated: “Theme of picture shows drive of organised labour for recognition, drive of Mexican-Americans for equality and drive of women for full participation in union and community life, which shows CP line.” The government’s fear was that it would show the U.S. in a bad light abroad, particularly if seen in South America. Although Salt was enthusiastically acclaimed on completion, few American cinemas would show it under threat of a Hollywood boycott.Ironically, thirty-eight years later, Salt of the Earth was inducted into the Library of Congress National Film Registry, as one of the hundred most important U.S. films to be preserved for posterity.The screening will be followed by a short documentary on the making of Salt of the Earth (20 mins) including interviews with the filmmakers.

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Screening: SALT OF THE EARTH

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Screening: SALT OF THE EARTH

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