FilmSocial: BREAD AND ROSES

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education, with the Socialist Project and in collaboration with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), is very pleased to present Bread and Roses (2000) as the next film in the FilmSocial series of socialist film screenings. Join us for this extra-special edition of FilmSocial as we celebrate International Workers’ Day, and stick around after for a party following the film! 

In Los Angeles, Mexican immigrant Maya (Pilar Padilla) finds work as a janitor through her sister, Rosa (Elpidia Carrillo). However, conditions at their non-union cleaning company are grim. After experiencing management abuse directed at herself and her fellow workers, Maya is convinced by union organizer Sam Shapiro (Adrien Brody), to get involved in the campaign for safe working conditions, higher wages, and dignity at her workplace. What follows leads to tension and confrontation, not only between workers and the company, but between Maya and her own family.

Directed by well-known socialist filmmaker, Ken Loach, Bread and Roses is based on the real-life Justice for Janitors campaign, organized by the Service Employees’ International Union (SEIU). The campaign was a pivotal moment in the fight for improved working conditions for some of the most precarious workers in the United States and Canada. As portrayed in the film, the campaign went beyond traditional business union methods, utilizing militant direct actions and deep community-based organizing in order to win workers’ demands. 

The film's title, "Bread and Roses", is a reference to the historic Lawrence Textile Strike, which was a strike of mostly immigrant women workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1912 led by the IWW.

The film will be presented in English and Spanish with English subtitles. 

Following our spring theme of films that feature organizing, the Leo Panitch School, along with the Socialist Project, is pleased to be co-hosting this screening with our friends in the Greater Toronto Area Industrial Workers of the World. We’re excited at the opportunity to host a member of the IWW who will be leading the discussion after the film. 

Make sure to bring cash as there will be beverages to purchase, merch, literature, as well as a raffle!

Leo Panitch School events are always presented free-of-charge. This is only made possible through contributions from our participants and supporters. We encourage those who are able to consider electing a paid registration option, making a cash donation at the event, or becoming a monthly donor via leopanitchschool.ca/donate.

Accessibility Information

College Street United Church is accessible to mobility devices via the Bathurst side entrance. The church features accessible gender-neutral  washrooms and level access throughout. We kindly ask all participants to refrain from wearing scents or perfumes.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@leopanitchschool.ca with any questions or concerns regarding accessibility at this event.