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Film premiere a reunion for GM workers
A documentary about the Dec. 23, 2008, closing of the General Motors assembly plant in Moraine debuted for a full house at the Schuster Performing Arts Center Wednesday, Aug. 19.
The premiere of “The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant” was equal parts reunion and expression of pride for the 1,600 former autoworkers and their family members among the 2,200 attending.
Produced by Home Box Office, it was a milestone for Yellow Springs directors Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, who made it after spending hundreds of hours with the Moraine workers in the plant’s final weeks, days and hours. The partnership with HBO marked a departure for the previously all-independent duo.
The final vehicle to roll off the Moraine line, a white GMC Envoy that figures prominently in the 40-minute piece, was parked outside the theater.
The screening was co-sponsored by FilmDayton and Wright State University, where Reichert is a motion pictures professor. Bognar is a WSU film graduate.
“This is the second time we’ve been to Dayton in four months for an opening,” HBO director of corporate affairs Loraine Anderson said. The first was for the film “They Killed Sister Dorothy.”
“We’ve done large premieres before, but one thing is very different this time. Generally, attendance will show about a 35 percent dropoff from the number of reservations. This time, the dropoff is about 0 percent.”
Local resident J. Todd Anderson, the storyboard artist for Hollywood’s famed directing duo the Coen brothers, said “The Last Truck” records a sad moment in history. “The only thing invented here that’s still supporting the local economy is now the airplane, in the form of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,” he said.
William Berry, a retiree who worked at the Moraine plant more than 35 years, attended with his wife, two adult sons and their families. “I made a good life here, but they took my sons’ livelihood away,” he said.
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment | Categories: Arts News, Film
Comments
By Kenny
August 19, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this
I was there at the show tonight and was glad I was able to see some of my friends I think that Steve and Julia did a great job Thank you for the memoriesBy NfamousWayneFan
August 19, 2009 11:15 PM | Link to this
Wish I could have gone, I have an overloaded School schedule and I couldn’t miss class. Didn’t get out of class until 9pm.By Blame
August 20, 2009 12:18 AM | Link to this
…yea William Berry, “they took my sons’ livelihood away”…it’s all “their fault”, isn’t it? You and your lazy union goons had nothing to do with it, right? Your son can work for Honda in Ohio, can’t he? Gee…I wonder why they’re still in business? You won’t/can’t/will not accept a clue, will you? Didn’t think so!!!!!By Joyce Gilbert
August 20, 2009 12:20 AM | Link to this
Steve and Julia did a wonderful job making this documentary. It showed the emotions of GM workers through out their last days at the plant. I was in the film and still I cried because it took me back to the last months of GM. Almost like it was happening to us over again. Reality really has set in for all of us.By notohatred
August 20, 2009 1:31 AM | Link to this
Why is there ALWAYS some ahole that insists on bringing someone down on any of these posts. There was a large amount of hard work and tears put into this film. There isn’t anything wrong with a father that is disappointed that his son will not have the same future as himself. Take your hatred somewhere else.By Sanfords
August 20, 2009 3:16 AM | Link to this
This was a wonderful night. We were back home with our family. GM can never take our memories. We love everyone. There needs to be a reunion for the workers every year. God bless everyone.By slob
August 20, 2009 5:39 AM | Link to this
Does anyone know when those little chinese cars will be imported that get 60 70 mpg. I think I will buy 2.By slob
August 20, 2009 5:41 AM | Link to this
I wonder if our tax dollars had to pay for the film.By Katmandu
August 20, 2009 6:05 AM | Link to this
Where can those of us that don’t have HBO view this documentary ?? Will it be on YOUTUBE ?By John
August 20, 2009 7:00 AM | Link to this
4 things why GM builds junk. 1. GM knows their cars will break down so they have to advertise Mr. Goodwrench. 2. They know that when their cars breakdown they have to find them, hence OnStar. 3. They know that the people who buy thier junk cars can’t be that smart, at least not smart to turn on their headlights, hence running lights. 4. They have to give their employees “incentive” discounts on their cars, cause who else is going to buy them.By Rosalie
August 20, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this
My heart goes out to all who have been affected by this closing. Hopefully this film may help bring some kind of closure and healing for the many generations of dedicated workers. Blessings to all.By Oldtown Diana
August 20, 2009 8:45 AM | Link to this
These wonderful film makers from Wright State have captured a slice of history from Dayton in this film. I wish the best for the families who no longer have a job with GM. It’s sad that our government has encouraged a lot of the industry to leave our country thus putting so many Americans out of work!By fed up
August 20, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this
I guess after raping the american public for years they can afford to make a film. what they did to us is worse than anything the govt. has done. they walked out with hundred of thousands of dollars. well excuse me if I dont have much sympathyBy bob
August 20, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this
GREAT JOB BY HBO BUT WHY THE NEGATIVITY BY JEALOUS FOLKS?By JEFF Patterson
August 20, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this
Hey FEDUP and and SLOB. Learn to read. GM did not make this film and did not put a dollar into it. HBO and independent film makers did.By dave
August 20, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this
Blame, Don’t be so hard on the unions, they only went after what was fair for the workers. Think how you would feel making $12.50 an hr. while CEO’s were making over 100 million per year with perks while breaking the company. I’m sorry but no man or women is worth that kind of money. The buck starts at the top. That was the down fall. I don’t think your son’s started a rally for the workers to give back alot of their perks that the union got for them. Yes I will agree their was to many different unions in the shops, but life does and will go on after GM. If their livelihood is gone, then their lazy and think their to good to work for $15.00 bucks an hour. I never worked for GM, but saw it coming years ago.By sadstate
August 20, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this
So glad that the film was completed and the GM families were honored with a premiere. For the people on here who are so against GM, just stick around this area and see. It will never be the same. GM families always contributed well to the local economy. Without GM, I don’t know how the smaller companies will survive.By Mary
August 20, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this
What a emotional night! Steve & Julia and everyone involved did a great job ! Thank You for taking the time to let the world know GM workers are human and have feelings just like everyone else. It was great seeing my GM Family again. Stay strong and believe in yourself there is life outside of GM. I know times get tough sometimes but just remember all the good things and all the people you meet during your times working at GM, now looking back, “It’s All Good”. People don’t like change in their lives but we are strong keep your head up, we are survivors!. And for all you people who continue to talk negative about us, “Bit ME” grow up, jealously will get you know where.By dale
August 20, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this
I’m sorry but I agree with blame. Yes I feel sorry for the current workers that were laid-off but to say “they” took my son’s lively hood away is a not ture. How many people raise their kids to be inspired to work in a manufacturing plant? I have bigger dreams for my kids to have a more fullfilling career than to put the same part on a car over and over again.By Roadmaster
August 20, 2009 9:41 AM | Link to this
My thoughts and feelings about GM were nurtured by the way GM treated me. Like an outsider. They sell a third world car. They had their chance and blew it. Only an illiterate would buy their junk. As for me I will stick with anybody but GM.ToyotaBy Treehugger
August 20, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this
I attended this showing and it was another outstanding film by Julia and Steve depicting the faces, hearts, and souls of the workers who were the backbone of the Moraine assembly plant. If you weren’t moved to tears by the interviews and footage you are callous and inhuman. I felt privileged to see this as a member of the general public in the company of those who were stiffed by GM. How very sad for all of them and for this community. I too work in the automotive industry and thank my lucky stars every day that I am employed by a company as innovative, forward thinking, and well-managed as American Honda.By mary
August 20, 2009 9:50 AM | Link to this
The gentlemen who made the comment about his grandson lively hood, I believe you have taken it the wrong way. You have to think a moment, This man could have worked at GM for over 30 years taking you back in the 80’s, What jobs were available with good pay,benefits,Nowadays,there is nothing. we all worked hard at are jobs,unless You walked in our shoes and Worked on assembly line day after day, save your negative comments to yourself. Times Are tough For EVERYONE !!By Reddog
August 20, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this
First and foremost a gigantic thank you to Steve and Julia. The two of you created a wonderful human tribute to the hard working union workers from Moraine Assembly. Unless you actually worked under some of the hard conditions at Moraine you can’t begin to understand what the workers really went through. They earned every penny they received. How anyone can make the statements that I have already read is unconscionable. Congratulations for a job well done to each and every Moraine assembly worker! Good Luck and,God bless each and every one of you!By The Facts
August 20, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this
Dave, Stop with your lies. Rick Wagnoner’s 2008 compensation was 14.9 million. Roughly 11.9 million of that was in stock and options. Now worthless. Not the 100 million you profess. More liberal business hate. If you wanted to make that much money you should have planned better. BTW 2007 Comp 15.7 I have more data but limited room here. Try Google.By dave
August 20, 2009 12:45 PM | Link to this
Lies I think not. The fact’s you are getting are the ones they want you to see. I would say almost all the CEO’S wife’s, kid’s and mistress’s had cars and took them in for oil changes that was paid out of a G.M. FUND. Now about Rick I said CEO’S not just one person. You think anyone CEO’S made made less than $28.50 an hour. Did anyone in Moraine make 2 million last year? I worked in a factory and it takes a strong person to install the same part over and over for years on end, then to find out you lose it all because someone up top can’t manage money. Wish I could make that much money destorying a company and a lot of American’s dream’s. Wasn’t Ford’s top CEO is working for a dollar a year until it’s gets back into shape. I guess in a nut shell Honda comes to America and is making money GM goes over seas and goes broke. It’s called GREED.By North Star
August 20, 2009 9:02 PM | Link to this
First I’d like to thank Steve and Julia for a wonderful film about our plant. The end is sad, but they showed the human side of the people who worked there.I see a lot of positive remarks here, but so many sarcastic ones too. We weren’t a parts plant. We didn’t have a quota and sat down when it was met. We built SUV’s. The bell rang, be on the line and ready to work. It was hard, demanding and repetitive work.It was long and many times difficult work. It destroyed your body after so many years and yes, you earned your money.You stayed because it was a good living and to those of you who think we were all uneducated, think again. Many people came in with college degrees, many more earned college degrees while they worked there. Yes, there were people in there without much formal education, but you have to go back several years to Frigidair and further, when people came from farms to get jobs or back from the service, etc. That was a different time. It truly bothers me how many people resented our $25.00 an hour, but no one has ever mentioned that 1/3 of that went straight to taxes,charities,etc. Who really profited from NAFT? For each worker in this country who loses their job, that’s less tax money to be collected, less buying power for remaining products. When you cut enough jobs, where is the economy going to be? Down the toilet. Each job lost effects how many others? Just how did the government expect to run the country when the jobs left? Don’t be angry at factory workers for the money we made. We paid our fair share, assemblers really earn every dime they made and we did a lot of good things when we had to money to give.By unhappy
August 23, 2009 10:10 AM | Link to this
i would like to thank HBO & steve & julia for making a great documentary…..it was done well, it told a very real story, and those of us who lived through it can all be greatful that we had our jobs as long as we did…our unions can be held responsible for the downfall of the company as well as the greedy upper management…most of us “linerats” were committed to doing our best job and making a quality product…those who didn’t were coddled by the union reps and management let it happen.By Moved From Ohio
October 4, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this
Truck plant gone, Ncr leaving, Delphi gone. How can union members and the inbreeding of workers in the plants from generation to generation ever expect anything but this.#5 years ago I took the plumbers apprentice exam for Delphi and scored the third highest ever scored on the test. I did not get hired because every interview the last question asked was did I know any one that worked there in the union. I did not and I was not hired. As things have turned out I am better off than I would have been.But this mentality and attitude that CEO’s salary break the companies is crazy. The 1200 or so workers that made 70,000 per year broke the company. Also the plant not represented by UAW may have contributed to the closing since they are now owners of GMC (Government Motor Corporation).Lets wait and see if the new GM survives or not, this will answer the ageless question of is it the Union or the CEO.Or in this case they might be the same.