As part of RUL's celebration of Banned Books Week, SMLR librarian Donna Schulman will be moderating a discussion on the only film blacklisted in the United States, *Salt of the Earth*; this will follow its screening at the Scholarly Communication Center, Alexander Library, Friday, October 2, 2009, 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

This is an extraordinary film. The plot was based on an actual strike of the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers against the Empire Zinc company in New Mexico, and the film explores issues of race, class and gender in ways that predate later, more sophisticated films. But, it is not a boring "message film", partly because of the acting by Rosaura Revueltas, a lumionous Mexican actress whose career was ruined because she participated in this film, and by Juan Chacon, a leader of the actual strike. The film was created by a blacklisted director, writer, producer, and actor; its filming was marred by violence and the deportation of Revueltas, and its screening to the public was suppressed by boycotts, pressure from the studios, and the refusal of the projectionists union to screen it.

Those of you who teach classes in labor history and labor studies will want to tell your students about this Banned Book/Movie event and encourage them to attend it. And those of you who don't might be interested in attending to see this film--for the first time or again.

There are other events planned for Banned Book Week (Sept 27 -- Oct 3, 2009), you can read about them here: http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/rul/news/09/09_banned_books.shtml

*Salt of the Earth (1954)* Friday, October 2, 2009 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Scholarly Communication Center, Teleconference Lecture Hall, Alexander Library, College Avenue Campus

*Salt of the Earth* (1954), blacklisted American film made during the height of the McCarthy era by a group of blacklisted filmmakers who were among the best the brightest Hollywood talent of the day. The film is based on a 1950 strike by zinc miners in Silver City, NM. Directed by Herman Biberman; Produced by Paul Jarrico, Sonja Dahl Biberman, Adolfo Barela; Screenplay by Michael Wilson, Michael Biberman. Discussion following the screening facilitated by Donna Schulman, Faculty Librarian.