WAL-MART:
THE HIGH COST OF LOW PRICE
Year: 2005
USA: Brave New Films
UK: Tartan Films
Cast: Red Esry, Jon Hunter, Donna Lisenby, Weldon Nicholson, Edith Arana, Diane DeVoy, Donna Payton, Sandra Laney, Jim Bill Lynn, Rev Altagracia Perez, Stan Fortune, Laura Tanaka, Rev James Lawson,
Director: Robert Greenwald
Country: USA
USA & UK: 95 mins
UK Certificate: PG contains reports of racism and violence
USA Release Date: 4 November 2005
UK Release Date: 12 May 2006
Synopsis
Hollywood political activist and award-winning film-maker Robert Greenwald's (OUTFOXED: RUPERT MURDOCH'S WAR ON JOURNALISM; UNCOVERED: THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT THE IRAQ WAR) searing new documentary WAL-MART: THE HIGH COST OF LOW PRICE exposes the unsavoury practices of the giant American retailer Wal-Mart, which includes ownership of Asda in the UK.
The film dives into the deeply personal stories and everyday lives of families and communities struggling to fight a goliath. A working mother is forced to turn to public assistance to provide healthcare for her two small children. A Missouri family loses its business after Wal-Mart is given over $2 million to open its doors down the road. A mayor struggles to equip his first responders after Wal-Mart pulls out and relocates just outside the city limits. A community in California unites, takes on the giant, and wins...
The film also lambastes Newham Council's forthcoming planned sale of London's East End 105-year old Queens Road Market to Wal-Mart. An Asda superstore will be the centrepiece of the redevelopment and it is believed that this will force many market traders out of business and as a result the multi-cultural local community will cease be able to purchase much needed low cost fresh food and household products. Newham Council will confirm their plans in the New Year and the local community, led by the Friends of Queens Market, continues to protest against the sale.
Producer/director Robert Greenwald and Brave New Films take you on an extraordinary journey that will change the way you think, feel -- and shop.