Laborfest: Films: The Last Firebrands from Italy; Film on Japanese workers

Porto Marghera-The Last Firebrands (52 min.) Italy 2004
By Manuela Pellarin (English subtitles)
40th Anniversary of Italy’s “Hot Autumn.”
A film about petrochemical workers who took matters into their own hands in the giant industrial zone engulfing Venice. Porto Marghera documents autonomous workers and their experiences from the point of view of the worker-activists themselves.
“The mass refusal of literally toxic work forced hours on the job down at the same time as driving wages up. The labour hierarchy that sets white collar against blue, permanent against casual, was attacked by workers insisting on the maximum for everyone. The battle in the factory was linked to working-class life outside through direct appropriation of basic social needs.
See also:
http://www.prol-position.net/nl/2007/08/marghera

Tanaka-San Will Not Do Calisthenics (75 min.) 2008 Australia
By Maree Delofski
This striking film shows the struggle of Japanese Oki Electric Manufacturing worker and singer Tetsuro Tanaka. Tanaka refused to accept the militarization of his job through calisthenics and the mind control of the company. As result, he is harassed and fired by the company. Rather than giving up, he decides to sing every day in front of the factory. He has continued this battle for 28 years, and in the process, has exposed the nature of this corporate management system. Tanaka has been to LaborFest before, and his music continues to ring out. His words “Never import the corporate fascism of Japan!” continue to have meaning.
http://www.tanakafilm.com
http://www.din.or.jp/~okidentt/eigohome.htm
http://unionsong.com/u218.html

See also:
http://www.roxie.com/events/
http://www.laborfest.net/2009schedule.htm