ABC of a Strike
1990 · 86 MIN · IMDB 7.9 · 223 VOTES · DIR. Leon Hirszman
Overview
ABC of a Strike captures the 1979 metal workers strikes outside of São Paulo. The footage sat untouched until after the death of highly-regarded director Leon Hirszman in 1987, by which time the material had a new relevance. The gripping film captures the negotiations between the labor unions and the factory bosses and shows the birth of the region’s Worker’s Party, as well as the emergence of its charismatic leader, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Rising from extreme poverty, Lula gained national prominence as a union activist during the late 70s and early 80s. After being jailed during his time as a union leader, he eventually becomes Brazil’s president from 2003 to 2010.
Dialogue Timeline — 700 lines
A SAMPLE ACROSS THE RUNTIME — EVERY LINE IS SEARCHABLE
00:01:25 While preparing his film
00:04:02 Those who want to work may go in. Those who don't want to work
00:06:54 We're afraid of going to jail. We're no crooks.
00:09:16 So if you, fellow workmen, should decide that we are to continue on strike
00:12:34 c) Intervention in the Union of Metallurgic, Mechanic and
00:17:34 It used 20 transport trucks
00:22:08 It doesn't matter if the government has officially taken us away from
00:27:01 We'll meet at 7:00 PM in the mother church of Santo André.
00:29:25 You know that the union leaders and the wage committee are with you all the way.
00:35:52 How long have you been in São Bernardo?
00:38:06 which lasts from two to three months a year in the average.
00:40:41 We're on a public street. If you'd authorize
00:43:07 In truth, this is where the low wage workers create their own conditions
00:46:22 Do you see how many children there are?
00:48:58 Now there are 155, and maybe more.
00:52:08 the political system in force, is more than ever identified with the workers
00:55:08 To face the armored cars they're going to send to São Bernardo
01:02:32 to interfere and make them do their part as agreed?
01:05:17 Don't forget the meeting at 10 o'clock!
01:07:25 At this meeting here in the Merak Hotel
01:10:27 they think it is not good for them.
01:13:40 this is the first time we raised our voices against so much exploitation
01:16:05 your wives and yourselves, when you vote.
01:20:17 And it meant a retreat from the government side