Film Lens
El Contrato is a Canadian documentary directed by Min Sook Lee, released in 2003. The film focuses on the difficult living conditions of migrant workers from Mexico who are employed as farm laborers in Leamington, Ontario. It captures their struggles, including the emotional toll of being away from their families and the harsh realities of their work environment. The film includes personal stories from the workers, revealing their feelings of isolation and the sacrifices they make for their families back home.
The film premiered at the Bloor Cinema on September 24, 2003, but faced delays in its wider release due to a SLAPP suit filed by the farmers depicted in the film. After the lawsuit was resolved, it had further screenings in 2004 and was broadcast by TVOntario on January 12, 2005. Lee revisited the theme of migrant labor in her 2016 film Migrant Dreams, which focuses on the exploitation of Indonesian temporary migrant workers.
Why Watch
- •See the struggles of Mexican farm workers in Ontario.
- •Find out how a SLAPP suit delayed the film's release.
- •Meet workers sharing their emotional stories of separation.
Did You Know
•The film was released in 2003 and has a duration of 51 minutes.
•El Contrato premiered at the Bloor Cinema on September 24, 2003.
•The film was shortlisted for the Donald Brittain Award at the 20th Gemini Awards in 2005.
•Workers in the film shared stories of abuse only when assured their faces would not be filmed.
Perfect For
Migrant labor issuesCanadian documentary fansSocial justice advocates