149. John Sayles on Martin Eden - Labor Goes To the Movies

Empathy Media Lab

Chris Garlock talks with director (Matewan, 8 Men Out) and novelist (Union Dues, Yellow Earth) John Sayles, about Martin Eden, Pietro Marcello’s adaptation of Jack London’s autobiographical novel.

“The part both in the book and the movie that always meant the most to me is the part where he's whacking away at that typewriter,” says Sayles. “I actually had an electric typewriter; it was the first thing I ever bought with my own money from shoveling driveways in the winter and mowing lawns and things like that. I had a whole wall papered with rejection slips.”

Sayles has a lot of insight into the film, not only as a director and writer, but from the perspective of a politically engaged artist.

Martin Eden trailer here.

Celebrate May Day by watching Work Songs! Get your tickets here. And stay tuned for updates on the 2021 DC Labor FilmFest line-up.

Produced by Chris Garlock. Video edited by Chris Garlock and Evan Papp.

About Labor Goes To The Movies

If you like movies and are interested in the labor movement, hang out with Labor Heritage Foundation Executive Director Elise Bryant and DC Labor FilmFest Director Chris Garlock as they kick back and talk about their favorite films and chat with guests about work and workers on the silver screen.

#LaborRadioPod

#1U

#UnionStrong