“Work is about a search for daily meaning as well as daily bread, for recognition as well as cash, for astonishment rather than torpor; in short, for a sort of life rather than a Monday through Friday sort of dying.” – Studs Terkel
Inspired by the work of the great Studs Terkel, WORK SONGS is a kaleidoscopic portrait of the United States at work. Interviews with cab drivers, longshorewomen, a farmer, a barista, and many others revolve around threats from automation, the gig economy, and the decline of unions – but also offer stories of hope, aspiration, dedication, innovation, and resilience. Not to mention the often entertaining answers to the question, “What’s the weirdest thing that ever happened at your job?” Each section is an engaging portrait that reveals a different aspect of our evolving relationship to labor, and allows the viewer to reflect on their own negotiation of economic concerns, satisfaction, and a larger social good.
- Year2019
- Runtime68 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorMark Street
“Work is about a search for daily meaning as well as daily bread, for recognition as well as cash, for astonishment rather than torpor; in short, for a sort of life rather than a Monday through Friday sort of dying.” – Studs Terkel
Inspired by the work of the great Studs Terkel, WORK SONGS is a kaleidoscopic portrait of the United States at work. Interviews with cab drivers, longshorewomen, a farmer, a barista, and many others revolve around threats from automation, the gig economy, and the decline of unions – but also offer stories of hope, aspiration, dedication, innovation, and resilience. Not to mention the often entertaining answers to the question, “What’s the weirdest thing that ever happened at your job?” Each section is an engaging portrait that reveals a different aspect of our evolving relationship to labor, and allows the viewer to reflect on their own negotiation of economic concerns, satisfaction, and a larger social good.
- Year2019
- Runtime68 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorMark Street