Closing Saturday night of the 10th anniversary Powell River Film Festival is a film sure to be a treat. Made in Dagenham is a pre-release festival screening, a film yet to hit theatres.
Though women are still conquering the glass ceiling in some workplaces, another group guaranteed they’d at least be paid the same amount as their male counterparts for the same work. This battle began 40 years ago in a Ford plant in London, England, and had repercussions that were felt the world over. Made in Dagenham is wonderfully entertaining dramatization of the events that led to this revolution.
Rita O’Grady (actor Sally Hawkins) was the catalyst for the 1968 Ford Dagenham strike by 187 sewing machinists that led to the advent of the Equal Pay Act (1970). Working in extremely impoverished conditions for long arduous hours, the women finally lost their patience when they were reclassified as unskilled. They walked out, protesting the widespread sexual discrimination in the workplace. With humour, common sense and courage, they took on their corporate paymasters, an increasingly belligerent local community and, finally, the government itself.
Dubbed “the Revlon revolution,” these women were forced to stand up for themselves when the union they consistently supported refused to support them. Though the elder Connie (actor Geraldine James) is the heart of the Dagenham machinists, Rita emerges as their voice.
The film presents a much wider view of events: Rita’s and Connie’s home lives; meetings of and with Ford executives; spectators in a marriage transforming; and witnesses to the inner workings of parliament, particularly within the office of Labour Party minister Barbara Castle (actor Miranda Richardson). It is this inclusive overview that makes the film so engaging and enjoyable.
Hawkins is undoubtedly the movie’s focal point. She propels the narrative with her performance, conveying a precarious balance of confidence and anxiety. She is supported by the film’s cast, which includes Bob Hoskins, Rosamund Pike, Daniel Mays, Jaime Winstone and many others. Audiences will be laughing, crying and above all cheering them on as these women fight for their basic right that we all now enjoy.
At 7 pm the reception begins accompanied by Ceilish Trad Band, and catered by Save-On-Foods. This will be the last chance to see the Malaspina Art Show and other displays in the foyer. Film showing is at 8 pm, and includes the top prize winners of the 5 Minute Film Contest.
Earlier in the day, at 4:30 pm, is the always enthusiastic and fun hour watching winners of the 5 Minute Film Contest find out which categories their films have won. Attendance is by donation.
Sunday wraps up the festival at the Patricia Theatre starting at 1 pm with screening of the Adventures in Film Camp films that have been made during the three-day camp. This will be followed by the 24 Hour Film Challenge films where the audience chooses the top prize winner. Attendance is by donation.
Tickets and passes are available online, and at Breakwater Books and Coffee, 6812A Alberni Street; Coast Realty, 4766B Joyce Avenue; Armitage Mens Wear, Town Centre Mall; the film festival office, 201A 7373 Duncan Street; and at the door. For more information readers can call 604.485.0325, extension 224, or visit www.prfilmfestival.ca.
