Film – Salt of the Earth

As part of our graduation weekend celebration, Spark Teacher Education Institute will be hosting a public screening (via ZOOM) of the 1954 movie Salt of the Earth (94 min).

Film Synopsis: Set in “Zinctown, N.M.,” Salt of the Earth uses a combination of actors and nonprofessional community people to tell a great story. Sparked by a mine accident, the workers, mostly Mexican Americans, go on strike. Safety is the issue, but is inextricably linked with racial discrimination as Anglo miners work in pairs, while Mexican Americans are forced to work alone. The film consistently highlights the racial dimension to the class struggle.

Salt of the Earth was one of 100 films chosen by the Library of Congress to be preserved for posterity. It was also banned at the time of its release during the McCarthy era.