Adam McKay joins ‘Union’ documentary as executive producer

A new chapter for ‘Union’

Adam McKay, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter, producer, and director, has taken on the role of executive producer for the documentary “Union”. This acclaimed film, which premiered at Sundance, has already garnered significant attention, winning the special jury prize in the U.S. competition. The documentary delves into the grassroots efforts of warehouse workers at an Amazon fulfillment center in Staten Island to form a union.

The powerhouse team behind ‘Union’

Joining McKay in this endeavor is Todd Schulman from McKay’s HyperObject Industries, who also steps in as an executive producer. The film is directed by Brett Story (“The Hottest August”) and Stephen Maing (“Crime + Punishment”). The production team includes Story, Maing, Samantha Curley, Mars Verrone, and Martin DiCicco. They have collaborated with distribution expert Michael Tuckman and Impact Producers Red Owl to self-distribute the film, with its theatrical rollout beginning on October 18.

A film with a mission

McKay expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Not only is ‘Union’ a film about the defining fight of our time; the resurgence of organized labor in an era of towering inequality, it’s also an edge-of-your-seat wildly entertaining movie.”

McKay’s career trajectory has seen him evolve from the head writer on “Saturday Night Live” to directing comedy classics like “Step Brothers” and “Anchorman.” He later shifted his focus to more serious subjects, using his satirical lens to address issues such as climate change in “Don’t Look Up,” the 2007 housing market collapse in “The Big Short,” and the life of Dick Cheney in “Veep.” His screenplay for “The Big Short” earned him an Oscar.

The story of ‘Union’

“Union” follows a diverse group of workers as they establish the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), aiming to improve conditions at the tech and retail giant. Despite facing significant challenges, including Amazon’s vast resources and a lack of major support from national unions or politicians, the workers persist. The film captures their internal struggles and conflicts, offering a richly observed and stirring narrative.

Brett Story and Stephen Maing shared their excitement about McKay joining the team, stating, “Over his long career as a writer and filmmaker, Adam has made some of the smartest, funniest, and most devastating cinematic takedowns of corporate culture and unfettered capitalism. His keen understanding of socio-economic issues and righteous anger towards systemic injustice makes him a perfect fit for our film about a group of ordinary people taking on one of the most powerful companies in the world.”

Festival circuit and beyond

Following its Sundance premiere, “Union” has been showcased at several prestigious festivals, including CPH DOX, Visions du Reel, Hot Docs, True/False, Chicago Doc 10, DC/DOX, Full Frame, Sheffield Film Festival, and Camden. It also had a special screening at the Michigan Theater hosted by Michael Moore. The film is set to continue its festival journey, with upcoming screenings at the New York Film Festival and other fall festivals.

A deeper dive into ‘Union’

The documentary not only highlights the resurgence of organized labor but also provides a gripping and entertaining look at the socio-economic issues of our time. The film’s success at various festivals and the involvement of industry heavyweights like McKay underscore its significance and impact.

For those interested in exploring the film further, trailers and additional information can be found here.

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