Program
69. DOK Leipzig
UNION TOWN
GERMAN PREMIERE
New York City is the city where anything is possible – including being just one paycheck away from going broke. This is the reality for workers at Amazon, UPS and various delivery apps. Every day, they deliver millions of packages and orders across the city, yet the people behind this work often remain invisible. Following her Oscar-winning films “Harlan County, USA” and “American Dream”, Barbara Kopple completes her trilogy on workers’ rights with “Union Town”. Over the course of three years, she follows workers in their struggle against some of the world’s most powerful corporations. While UPS drivers and Amazon employees turn to strikes and union organising, the predominantly migrant bicycle couriers working for delivery apps are also trying to join forces. They are all fighting for fairer wages, safer working conditions and recognition of their work. To the corporations, they are expendable, but united in a union, they fight back. Between the fear of financial ruin, family worries and the courage to strike, the film shows what solidarity and community can achieve. (Seggen Mikael)
With discussion
USA 2026, directed by Barbara Kopple, 110 min., documentary film
