El Contrato (2003)
51m
Running Time
October 18, 2003Release Date
Plot.
This documentary from Min Sook Lee follows a poverty-stricken father from Central Mexico, along with several of his countrymen, as they make their annual migration to southern Ontario to pick tomatoes. For 8 months a year, the town's population absorbs 4,000 migrant workers who toil under conditions, and for wages, that no local would accept. Yet despite a fear of repercussions, the workers voice their desire for dignity and respect.
Where to Watch.
FreeCurrently El Contrato is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: NFB
Streaming in:🇨🇦 Canada
Cast & Crew.
Maria del Mar
Narrator
Karen King-Chigbo
Producer
David Patrick
Director of Photography
Sylvia Sweeney
Executive Producer
Karen King
Producer
Min Sook Lee
Writer / Director / Researcher / Additional Camera
Virginia Storey
Foley / Sound Re-Recording Mixer / Foley Artist
Edgardo Moreno
Original Music Composer / Musician
Martin Lee
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Katharine Asals
Editor
Louise Lore
Executive Producer
John Westheuser
Director of Photography
Norah Wakula
Production Manager
Ida Di Fruscia
Administration
John Bracco
Foley Recordist
Andrea Feder
Transcriptions
Benito Amaro
Additional Sound Re-Recordist
Catherine Scott
Assistant Editor
Mark Wilson
Assistant Production Manager
Enzo Moreno
Translator
Douglas Crawford
Digital Imaging Technician
Kemp Archibald
Production Supervisor
Jeannethe Lara
Transcriptions
Sarah Zammit
Production Manager
Mike Borlace
Additional Sound Re-Recordist
Dan Johnston
Online Editor
Jessica Farias
Transcriptions / Translator
Beatriz Pizano
Translator
Don Grundsten
Additional Sound Re-Recordist
Debbie Gaysinsky
Colorist
Joanne Forrest
Assistant Unit Manager
Maurice C. Behaine
Transcriptions
Marvyn Dennis
Dialogue Editor / Sound Supervisor
Orestes Robledo
Transcriptions
Lea Marin-Jara
Administrative Assistant
Stacy Coutts
Sound Re-Recording Assistant
Grazia Rade
Unit Manager
Lou Solakofski
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Silva Basmajian
Producer
Pat Kerr
Transcriptions
Alejandro Ronceria
Translator
Elizabeth Klinck
Researcher
Tonya Reid
Researcher
Douglas MacFarlane
Production Manager
Penny Kennedy
Production Coordinator
Ali Kazimi
Additional Camera
Nadine Simunic
Administrative Assistant
Sheila Gruner
Transcriptions
Media.
Details.
This Movie Is About.
mexico
canada
tomato
migrant worker
woman director
overseas foreign workers
Wiki.
El Contrato (lit. "The Contract") is a Canadian documentary film, directed by Min Sook Lee and released in 2003. The film portrays the harsh living conditions of exploited migrant workers from Mexico who are working as farm labourers in Leamington, Ontario.
The film premiered at the Bloor Cinema on September 24, 2003, but the farmers depicted in the film issued a SLAPP suit which delayed the film's wider release. After the lawsuit was cleared, the film received further film festival screenings in 2004, before being broadcast by TVOntario on January 12, 2005.
Lee subsequently returned to the theme of migrant workers in her 2016 film Migrant Dreams, which centred on similar exploitation of Indonesian temporary migrant workers.