The Power At Work Blog proudly announces that it will co-present two films at the DC Labor FilmFest: “The Old Oak” on May 1st at 7pm, and a 25th-anniversary screening of the 1999 comedy “Office Space” on May 22 at 7pm. Both films will be screened at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. Burnes Center Senior Fellow Seth Harris will participate in the presentation of both films.
The DC Labor FIlm Fest is organized and presented by the Labor Heritage Foundation and AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center. The Labor FilmFest runs from May 1 to May 30 as a celebration of Labor History Month.
Photo from AFI Silver
“THE OLD OAK” is a 2023 film from the UK. According to the DC Labor Film Fest team, “[t]he Old Oak is the last pub standing in a once thriving mining village in northern England, a gathering space for a community that has fallen on hard times. There is growing anger, resentment and a lack of hope among the residents, but the pub and its proprietor, TJ, are a fond presence to their customers. When a group of Syrian refugees move into the floundering town, a decisive rift fueled by prejudices develops between the community and its newest inhabitants. The formation of an unexpected friendship between TJ and a young Syrian woman named Yara opens up new possibilities for the divided village in this deeply moving drama about loss, fear and the difficulty of finding hope. Following the 2020 release of his SORRY WE MISSED YOU, legendary British director Ken Loach, who is 87 years old, announced that THE OLD OAK would be his final film.”
The Power At Work Blog will present The Old Oak alongside the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University.
Photo from AFI Silver
“OFFICE SPACE” is a perennial DC Labor FilmFest favorite. This year, it returns for its 25th anniversary screening! According to the DC Labor Film Fest team, Ron Livingston, Ajay Naidu and David Herman star as three disgruntled workers at the dreary, fluorescent-lit office of Initech who learn of impending layoffs at the company and hatch a scheme to embezzle from their greedy bosses. The film co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Stephen Root, Gary Cole, John C. McGinley and Diedrich Bader. Director Mike Judge's theatrical debut was largely ignored upon release, but has become a veritable Rocky Horror Picture Show for cube-farmers everywhere.”
The Power At Work Blog will present Office Space in partnership with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union, IFPTE Local 70.
Readers/viewers and subscribers of the Power At Work Blog in the greater Washington, D.C. metro area should try their best to join us for the two films we will co-present. You can find all the DC Labor FilmFest screenings on the AFI Silver web site. If you are a union member, bring your union card to the festival and claim a special discount!
We look forward to seeing you on May 1 and May 22 at the DC Labor FilmFest.
