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Union

(Stephen Maing and Brett Story, 2024) 

Brett Story in person

Ohio Premiere

Individuals standing in front of news microphones, the man in the center has his fists raised above his head.

Follow a group of Amazon employees as they attempt to unionize under one of the world’s most powerful companies in this modern-day David and Goliath.

Embedded with the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) for three years, filmmakers Stephen Maing and Brett Story documented the ALU's historic efforts to unionize on behalf of their coworkers. The film captures the exhilarating victories of the ALU and charismatic leader Chris Smalls, as well as the difficult realities of labor organizing in contemporary America—especially when up against the unlimited resources and influence of a corporate giant. Despite all the power struggles, infighting, setbacks, and anti-union scheming, the film is ultimately a tribute to the power of collective action. Long disenfranchised and powerless, together the workers gain a potent sense of hope and self-determination. (102 mins., DCP)

After the screening, the film’s codirector Brett Story will be in conversation with Ohio filmmaker Steven Bognar, who won an Academy Award with Julia Reichert for American Factory.

See the complete Unorthodocs 2024 lineup.

IMAGE CAPTION
Union, courtesy of the Film Collaborative.

Know before you go

  • Where to park: We recommend parking in Ohio Union South Garage to avoid special event parking fees and ensure your validation sticker for $2 parking applies. Learn more about parking validation.
"Capturing the ascendancy of the working class, Union is a key addition to the canon of workers’ cinema."
Edward Frumkin, the Film Stage

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Unorthodocs 2024 is part of the 2024 FotoFocus Biennial: backstories.

FILM/VIDEO PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY 
National Endowment for the Arts 
Ohio Humanities

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY 
Rohauer Collection Foundation

WEXNER CENTER PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY 
Greater Columbus Arts Council
 
The Wexner Family 
Institute of Museum and Library Services
 
Mellon Foundation 
Every Page Foundation 
Ohio Arts Council, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts 
CampusParc 
Nationwide Foundation 
Ohio State’s Global Arts + Humanities Discovery Theme 
The Columbus Foundation 
Axium Packaging

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY 
Ohio State Energy Partners 
Ohio History Fund/Ohio History Connection 
David Crane and Elizabeth Dang 
Melissa Gilliam and William Grobman 
Rebecca Perry Damsen and Ben Towle

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Union