A stunning documentary chronicles the efforts of American lawyers trying to take the soft drink giant to court over the killings of 10 union leaders in Columbia.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola doc chronicles a bitter battle
"As soon as the union was formed, the trouble started," intones the brother of murdered Columbian union leader Isidro Gil ominously at the start of The Coca-Cola Case, a documentary co-production by the NFB and Argus Films.
The 86-minute film chronicles the relentless efforts of American lawyers trying to take the soft drink giant to court over the killings of 10 union leaders, who represented workers at Coke bottling plant s in Colombia.
The documentary splits its time nicely between two battles: the court fight waged by Daniel Kovalik, lawyer for the United Steelworkers union, on behalf of Columbian union members and the public awareness crusade of Ray Rogers, who directed the Campaign to Stop Killer Coke.
Mexico's Cola wars continue
The residents of Coajomulco, Mexico are literally having their water taken out from under them. (Photo: Kristen Hanson)
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Mexico's Cola wars continue: A photo essay
Coajomulco is a mountain community of indigenous people located just outside Cuernavaca City in the state of Morelos, Mexico. These people are literally having their water taken out from under them. The members of the community I spoke with included: Beatrice a community elder, Alfonso and Rodriguez, who worked together to organize the community and the building of the reservoir system.
Most of the photos leave these people unidentifiable because there were concerns expressed in conversation with community members about repercussions of speaking out against the government and multinational corporations. Also, this approach is symbolic of the namelessness of the community members and their lack of voice and power.
"The Coca-Cola Case" - A documentary film about Coke and labour rights in the bottling plants.
Jan 25 2010 - 7:00pm
Jan 25 2010 - 9:00pm
Location
301 Azrieli Theatre
Ottawa, ON
Canada
45° 25' 24.5784" N, 75° 41' 52.5588" W
See map: Google Maps
German Gutierrez and Carmen Garcia / Canada / 2009 / English and Spanish (w/ eng. s.t.)
SYNOPSIS: Colombia is the trade union murder capital of the world. Since 2002, more than 470 workers' leaders have been brutally killed, usually by paramilitaries hired by private companies intent on crushing the unions. Among these unscrupulous corporate brands is the poster boy for American business: Coca-Cola.
Talk to Martin Gil: His brother Isidro was killed at point-blank range while working at the Coca-Cola bottling plant in Carepa, because he was part of a union bargaining unit. Like most violent crimes committed against Colombian union leaders, Gil's murder went unpunished.
