As part of Women’s History Month at Cerritos College the movie “Bread and Roses” was aired free of charge. Named after a labor union slogan, the movie follows Maya, an illegal alien trying to earn an illegal decent wage in America.

Pilar Padilla plays Maya who with the help of her sister Rosa played by Elpidia Carrillo came to LA and landed a job in a janitorial service. Their supervisor, Perez, played by George Lopez takes advantage of their illegal status and sets the stage for the labor union struggle.

“The two sisters and the emotions, they have really make the movie,” said Janet Song, Business Major. “It’s about women’s rights, it’s about labor, it’s about immigration. People are emotional about all this.”

Maya’s mischievous militancy endears her quickly to unorthodox union organizer, Sam Shapiro played by Adrien Brody. Their romance is a side thought to the films labor and women’s rights theme.

“The film would be appropriate for women’s month or Labor Day,” said Walter Fernandez, history professor. “The women workers in this film are dealing with issues some women can find themselves in.”

Maya’s eyes are opened to some harsh realities of life when she learns of her sister’s betrayal of several fellow workers. She also discovers Rosa’s discovers Rosa’s secondary income, prostitution.

“Looking at it from the characters viewpoint, citizenship isn’t an option,” said Fernandez. “It’s so far out of reach, it’s not considered possible.”

The film is directing by Ken Loach,

“They’re looking at life one day at a time,” said Fernandez. “They’re struggling just to survive.”