Essentials: Salt of the Earth

CGI? What the hell does that mean?

Year: 1954 (USA)
Genre: Drama/Family Drama/Message Movie
Directed: Herbert J. Biberman
Stars: Rosaura Revueltas, Juan Chacon, Will Geer, Clinton Jencks, Virginia Jencks, Henrietta Williams, Angela Sanchez
Production: Independent Production Company

Whenever I watch an older movie I always try to realize that they were conceived during a specific period in time; within a continuum that overlaps with history if you will. As a result, the directing, acting, special effects and social attitudes of a specific era can live on in celluloid and seem hokey or even offensive today. Its not always easy to realize this; I can't help but giggle when I witness the special effects of the 1940's in The Thief of Bagdad (1940), but in the case of Salt of the Earth (1954), Herbert J. Biberman's masterpiece still remains ahead of its time.

The story, based on true events, takes place in a small mining town in New Mexico. The Quintero family live in a small hobble with no running water and a tightening budget. As the patriarch (Juan Chacon) slaves away underground, Esperanza his wife (Rosaura Revueltas) anxiously awaits the birth of yet another child. After a workplace accident (facilitated by a questionable company policy), the miners walk off the job. What starts out as a small, organic labor strike soon turns into an engrossing drama about racial and gender politics.

Whoever votes to take Two and a Half Men off the air say "Aye!"

Everything is told from the point-of-view of Esperanza who over the course of the film becomes more deeply involved with the labor union. Her, along with a few key organizers help unite the splintered groups; men and women, Mexican and white miners. This of course is done with the stern disapproval of her husband and many of the men in town.

Behind grainy resolution and shoddy camerawork lies unbridled confidence both behind and in-front of the camera. Rosaura Revueltas's voice-over evokes immediate sympathy to the character and her sun-kissed natural beauty shines a bright light in some of the darker moments. Juan Chacon in his first and only film performance also does a fine job. He may not have the acting chops of a seasoned veteran but he nevertheless has a commanding stage presence that is not easily taught. The real treat however is Herbert J. Biberman's direction which brings to mind the best of Jean Renoir's American films but with a touch of Godard. In one intense scene, he smash-cuts between two pivotal moments creating a palpable tension that sent my heart fluttering.

At the height of the Red Scare, this unabashedly pro-union film became a source of much controversy when it was released, comprising of many progressive and blacklisted actors, writers and producers. Produced on a minimal budget, the film was only exhibited once before being blackballed for over a decade finally finding an audience within the burgeoning counterculture of the late 1960's. In today's social and political climate Salt of the Earth remains as salient as ever. fizzled-out movements like Occupy Wall Street could learn a lesson from Esperanza. We all could.

Final Grade: A