When We Fight 2022
Distributed by New Day Films, 350 North Water Street Unit 1-12, Newburgh, NY 12550; 888-367-9154
Produced by Yael Bridge and Yoni Golijov
Directed by Yael Bridge and Yoni Golijov
Streaming, 34 mins
High School - General Adult
Labor Movement; Labor Relations; Teachers
Date Entered: 08/03/2023
Reviewed by Michael J. Coffta, Business Librarian, Bloomsburg University of PennsylvaniaWhen We Fight is an intense call for activism for US teachers’ unions. This film lets the audience get an “up close and personal” view of the maneuvers and tactics of the 2019 Los Angeles teachers’ union (UTLA). Teachers faced egregious shortages in faculty, nurses, etc., and excessive class sizes. The film makers accomplish the goals of outlining the needs of the teachers, and the needs for unity and commitment within the union.
This work, however, has some questionable editing choices. There was a great deal of shaky camerawork, although this can be said to contribute to the audience’s experiencing the tension on the picket lines. There were frequent bursts of all caps text and blinking text which, while emotionally charging the message, disappear and reappear too abruptly, providing a very rough feel. Lists are often displayed without line breaks or bullets. Nevertheless, this practice was used effectively to display stirring messages, such as, “Democracy is an endless meeting.”
The film would have benefited from the inclusion of more data. While the film does mention class sizes being in excess of 40 students, there is no mentioning of how many classes suffer from this. School board administrators are claimed to be “billionaires” without listing their salaries. Still, this film is brief and earnest, and perhaps could not afford the time for lengthy data expositions.
The strength of this documentary is in its honest and gritty representation of a strike. The film makers do an excellent job of showing questions and doubt among UTLA members, but also its resolve. The teachers’ reservations about striking, and stating that, “Strikes are not fun,” capture the fervent heart of this work.
When We Fight is a call to action for unionized teachers more than an appeal to the cause for general audiences.
Awards:Best Short Documentary, Workers Unite Film Festival
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