Coca Cola's Role in the Assassinations of Union Leaders Explored in Powerful New Documentary

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http://www.alternet.org/economy/146579/coca_cola%27s_role_in_the_assassinations_of_union_leaders_explored_in_powerful_new_documentary/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=alternet_workplace

rabble.ca / By June Chua

"The Coca-Cola Case" explores allegations of tragedy at bottling plants in Colombia, trade union murder capital of the world.

April 23, 2010 |


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"As soon as the union was formed, the trouble started," intones the brother of murdered Colombian union leader Isidro Gil ominously at the start of "The Coca-Cola Case," a documentary co-production by the NFB and Argus Films that is about to have its New York premiere.

The 86-minute film chronicles the relentless efforts of American lawyers trying to take the soft drink giant to court over the killings of 10 union leaders, who represented workers at Coke bottling plants in Colombia.

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The documentary splits its time nicely between two battles: the court fight waged by Daniel Kovalik, lawyer for the United Steelworkers union, on behalf of Columbian union members, and the public awareness crusade of Ray Rogers, who directed the Campaign to Stop Killer Coke.

Well-shot and polished, this social justice procedural can sometimes lag -- primarily because it relies on talking heads and doesn't delve enough into the lives of Coke workers and those of the brave union activists in Colombia. Of course, the directors -- German Guiterrez and Carmen Garcia -- would have made many editorial decisions regarding their focus. I just would have appreciated just a little more on the daily struggles of the unionists.

hat aside, "The Coca-Cola Case" is a fascinating portrayal of corporate irresponsibility and greed. Kovalik himself is a great character, one who tirelessly pours himself into the cause as he spearheads the legal battle to get compensation for the families of the dead unionists.

The effort to squeeze millions out of Coca-Cola Inc. began back in 2001, when the case was filed in a U.S. court. The documentary follows Kovalik over a three-year period, from 2006 through 2008, as he attempts to bring closure to the seemingly never ending legal machinations of Coke.

"They have the money to keep fucking us," states one of the Colombian plaintiffs.

FULL story and more links at link above.

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