Globalisation & Privatization at work. "The Navigators" by K. Loach.

[JanMichael]

"The Navigators" is a Ken Loach movie set in South Yorkshire, England during the mid-1990's British Rail Privatisation. If you're interested in Worker's issues rent it.

Here's a review: http://www.filmjournal.com/Article.cfm/PageID/13316894

"Loach’s characters, like those in The Navigators, are both archetypes of the proletariat, and capacious spirits, flesh-and-blood men and women who inspire pathos and admiration. Their struggles in this film, parochial yet familiar—the script was written by a former British rail employee—allow the filmmaker to explore every dimension of the effect of a corporate takeover so lucidly that the movie is simply the final word on the evils of private industry. For Loach, the history of plutocracies, of repression, racism and poverty, is inseparable from the spiritual and psychic struggles of ordinary people. He said in a 1998 interview with FJI that to suffer an injustice is terrible, but “for it to be hidden” is intolerable. In The Navigators, a eulogy to the evanescent unionized worker, Loach makes another unforgettable entry in his celluloid memory book of crimes committed against the human spirit."

We talk about the Worker and this movie shows exactly what can happen to the "average" worker that gets sold to the highest, then lowest, bidder. This is a Union busting AND "Privatisation of National Industries" film, there are two important issues at work.

Not surprisingly Billy Joel's "Allentown" lept to mind during the film. Yet the steel mills there actually closed while the British Rail system stayed right where it was, kept running, yet sold off and carved up the workers that kept it running.

It brought up a fundamental question that I'd like to see asked more often of our "Leaders" who support NAFTA and the FTAA...

Are Workers, all still Human Beings, really just material capital for Private Enterprise (Other Human Beings mind you) to exploit? Is that all they are to these "Leaders"?

The easy answer is, "Leave things to Free Market forces, they'll settle things out." Bollocks. That's an answer for people that refuse to engage in difficult problem solving. It also sounds like an appeal to a higher power than Man.

I want accountability.

To "Moderator": I debated whether or not this was a Lounge thread and came to the conclusion that it's a serious comment on a serious social issue and ought to be in GD.

Thanks in advance.

[kaitykaity]

1. Thanks for the heads up.

All of Ken Loach's movies deal in some way withthe struggles of the working class. He's top notch.

:hi:

[mrfrapp]

4. Kes

You've just inspired me to flip in my copy of Kes into the player. I'm going to enjoy it I think.

[Minstrel Boy]

2. Thanks Jan

Coincidentally, I was just thinking how much I want to see Land and Freedom again.

Loach is one of the Left's great treasures.

[JanMichael]

3. I have a GREAT Lefty movie rental store near me..

Damned near their entire staff can be found at the local Progressive events.

I haven't seen "Land and Freedom" as of yet. Thanks for the suggestion!