{
  "id": 6422267,
  "title": "Workers, migrants focus of documentaries by Oscar winners at Venice",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/workers-migrants-focus-of-documentaries-by-oscar-winners-at-venice",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T13:08:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/news-world/workers-migrants-focus-of-documentaries-by-oscar-winners-at-venice/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fifty years since Barbara Kopple first explored labor rights, US workers continue to face challenges in securing fair treatment, according to the Oscar-winning filmmaker. Her latest film, \"Union Town,\" premieres at the Venice Film Festival as part of a trilogy on worker struggles. The Oscar-winning US director, 80, discussed the ongoing fight for union rights, decent wages, safe working conditions, and respect during an interview with AFP. Kopple's film focuses on New York City's efforts to pressure companies like UPS and Amazon to improve wages and benefits for their employees and part-time workers. A Teamsters union leader expressed frustration that these companies have the financial means but choose not to address the workers' concerns.\n\nThe film also sheds light on the experiences of delivery riders for apps like GrubHub and DoorDash, who often remain unseen. These workers face hazards such as muggings, hit-and-runs, and physically demanding tasks like heavy lifting and long hours without time off. One GrubHub rider from Bangladesh recounted being hit by a car while making a delivery, which left him hospitalized for two days. The company deactivated his account following the incident.\n\nOscar-winning director Laura Poitras and Rachel Lauren Mueller present another film at the festival, \"They're Here.\" This documentary examines the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdown in Minneapolis in January. The 25-minute film highlights grassroots resistance by the local community and emphasizes the immigrant perspective. The filmmakers were stunned by the fact that immigrants face daily threats in the United States, as one migrant worker hid in his car during his commute, driven by his son through ICE-filled streets. The film is set to be released in the United States ahead of the US midterm elections.",
  "summary": "Fifty years after Barbara Kopple first tackled labour rights, workers in the United States are still struggling to get their due as her latest film premiered in Venice.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}