A BRIEF VACATION.  This 1973 dramatic film, made by renowned director Vittoria De Sica, comes from a story based on the premise that “sickness is the vacation of the poor.”  Clara, a factory worker trapped by her life off as well as on the job, collapses with a lung disease which lands her in a sanatorium in the mountains where rediscovers herself.  This powerful film emerged in relationship to the radical labor upheavals in late 1960s-early 1970s Italy.

July 11 (note, the second Tuesday):  BROTHERS ON THE LINE  Victor Reuther’s grandson Sasha made this documentary film about the roles played by the Reuther brothers in the formation and development of the United Auto Workers Union.  It was released in 2012.  A New York Times review hailed its reliance on archival materials and “searing scenes.”  It also pointed out that the film did not shy away from controversial issues in the evolution of the union.