| The Take | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Avi Lewis |
| Written by | Naomi Klein |
| Narrated by | Naomi Klein andAvi Lewis |
| Distributed by | First Run Features / Icarus Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Languages | English Spanish |
The Take is a Canadiandocumentary film released in 2004 by the wife and husband team ofNaomi Klein andAvi Lewis. It tells the story of workers inBuenos Aires,Argentina, whoreclaim control of a closedForja auto plant where they once worked and turn it into aworker cooperative.
The plant closed as a result of the economic policies of theCarlos Menem government under the watchful eye of theInternational Monetary Fund.
While inbankruptcy protection, the company appeared to be selling off property and inventory to pay creditors – a move which further reduced the chances of the facility returning to production. In an effort to establish their own control, the workers occupied the factory and began a long battle to win the right to operate it themselves, as acooperative.
This collective movement has gained strength in Argentina, having started with a garment factory several years earlier. The factory workers waded through the courts and legislative system with help from the experience of these other groups who had fought the same battle, and ultimately secured their right to operate the plant.The film describes the ideological fights beyond co-operative ownership, showing how Menem regained strength as he ran for a subsequent term, despite the poor performance of his privatisation while in office. Ultimately, workers succeed.
Collaboration between Lewis and Brendan Martin led to the creation of the foundation The Working World/La Bas.[1] It is anon-profitmicrocredit aimed atcooperatives. It has been registered in the United States as the non-profitThe Working World, and in June 2008 has obtained the status of anNGO in Argentina asLa Base.[1]
 | This article related to a Canadian documentary film made from 2000 through 2009 is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
