Bus Rider's Union (2000)

Bus Rider's Union (2000) poster

A 1998 editorial in Time magazine made the claim that the city of Los Angeles "might just have the most inept public-transport system on the planet earth. . . . The neglected bus system, which still handles 91% of all transit riders,is now roughly as efficient as travel by burro." Academy Award–winning cinematographer and director Haskell Wexler (Medium Cool, Latino) has now fashioned a new documentary tracing three years in the life of a group of bus-rider activists passionately engaged in the struggle to bring affordable, safe, and adequate mass transit back to their city. What might at first sound like a well-intentioned but rather parochial subject for a film has resulted in a truly inspiring lesson in how working-class, predominantly minority citizens forge an effective social movement and how, like Rosa Parks and the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycotters of the 1950s, a group of committed individuals can successfully challenge the powers that seek to control their lives.

Director: Haskell Wexler, Johanna Demetrakas
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 87 min
Release Date:

Cast

Cinematography: Haskell Wexler
Country: United States of America
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Haskell Wexler, Johanna Demetrakas
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bus Rider's Union about?
A 1998 editorial in Time magazine made the claim that the city of Los Angeles "might just have the most inept public-transport system on the planet earth. . . . The neglected bus system, which still handles 91% of all transit riders,is now roughly as efficient as travel by burro." Academy Award–winning cinematographer and director Haskell Wexler (Medium Cool, Latino) has now fashioned a new documentary tracing three years in the life of a group of bus-rider activists passionately engaged in the struggle to bring affordable, safe, and adequate mass transit back to their city. What might at first sound like a well-intentioned but rather parochial subject for a film has resulted in a truly inspiring lesson in how working-class, predominantly minority citizens forge an effective social movement and how, like Rosa Parks and the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycotters of the 1950s, a group of committed individuals can successfully challenge the powers that seek to control their lives.
Who directed Bus Rider's Union?
Bus Rider's Union was directed by Haskell Wexler, Johanna Demetrakas.
Who stars in Bus Rider's Union?
Bus Rider's Union stars Della Bonner, Kikanza Ramsey, Eric Mann.
How long is Bus Rider's Union?
Bus Rider's Union has a runtime of 1h 27m (87 minutes).
What genre is Bus Rider's Union?
Bus Rider's Union is a Documentary film.
Where was Bus Rider's Union produced?
Bus Rider's Union was produced in United States of America.