No Contract, No Cookies: The Stella D'oro Strike

About No Contract, No Cookies: The Stella D'oro Strike

'No Contract, No Cookies: The Stella D'oro Strike' is a riveting documentary film that was released in 2011. The film poignantly highlights the bond developed among the Stella D'oro cookie factory employees as they find themselves embroiled in a heated strike. The movie, rated TV14, is a thought-provoking illustration of solidarity, defiance, and the often underestimated power of collective voices.

Making / Production

The movie was directed by Jon Alpert and Matt O'Neil and was produced by the DCTV Production Company, renowned for their compelling documentaries and news features. The film uses a variety of interesting visual and audio techniques to effectively convey the struggles and victories of the striking workers. Interviews, raw footage of the strike, and personal narratives are skillfully blended to create a moving documentary.

Actors

• Jon Alpert: Not only was Jon Alpert the director but he was also the narrator of the documentary. His narration was both impassioned and sobering, adding depth to the storyline.
• Stella D'oro workers: These were not professional actors, but their roles in the documentary were critical. Their raw emotions and heartfelt testimonies were central to the film's power and appeal.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Stella D'oro strike lasted for about 11 months, from August 2008 to July 2009.
• This strike was held against Brynwood Partners, the private equity firm that owned Stella D'oro at the time. The dispute arose when Brynwood demanded wage cuts and changes in benefits.
• The film solidifies Stella D'oro's place in labor history, documenting one of the most significant strikes in modern U.S. history.

Music and Soundtrack

• The documentary used background music minimally, relying on the natural sounds of the protest and the voices of the workers for most of the audio.
• Whenever music was used, it was reflective of the raw emotion and the determination of the strikers.

Quotes

• "No contract, no peace!" - One of the repeated phrases by the strikers throughout the film.
• "Nobody wants to go on strike, but when you're forced into a corner, you have to fight back." - Statement from a striking worker.

Please note that the data is provided as narrated or mentioned in the film and might vary in different sources. However, the core essence of the movie - the display of solidarity and determination by the workers - remains unaltered and is captured extensively in the film.