FILM REVIEW: THE HAND THAT FEEDS

A scene from The Hand That Feeds. Photo Credit: Jed Brandt.

Not keeping mum about mini wages

By John Esther

Winner of numerous film festival awards, co-directors Robin Blotnick and Rachel Lears' documentary, The Hand That Feeds, is a fast and furious look into the plight of the working poor.

Earning less than minimum wage in New York City, undocumented workers at the Hot and Crusty bakery can work up to sixty hours a week and still make less than $300. There is no overtime pay, paid vacation time or sick leave. They are paid in cash. Of course, undocumented workers are reluctant to complain less they garner attention from authorities. Those who hire them know this and exploit the men and women for maximum profit.

Eventually, Mahoma Lopez and some of his coworkers have had enough and decide to organize. But they will not be able to do it alone so they enlist the help of people in the Occupy Wall Street movement and other concerned citizens. The bosses, who declined to be interviewed for the documentary, are not happy.

What follows is a yearlong massive struggle on the upper eastside for a living wage between the workers and the investors who are highly reluctant to pay a decent wage or accord these workers any decency, much less power. For those who do not know what happened, The Hand That Feeds becomes an intense battle for pride and prosperity. Investors and management have the power and money. The workers only have themselves. If they are to win they will have to unite, but that is easier said than done. Management or someone they hire, usually know how to drive a wedge between the working poor.

As the minimum wage debate takes center stage in Los Angeles and the rest of the country (where the minimum asking is too little), members of the working and shrinking middle classes will have plenty to gain by investing in the price of a movie ticket to view The Hand That Feeds.