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Publication Date: 2004
Publisher: Hometown Productions

Description: Wal-Mart's plan to build a large store in a small town (Greenfield, MA) is the backdrop for this sharp-edged docu-comedy. All goes well for the corporate giant until an 11th hour citizens' rebellion resists the lure of low prices to reveal another side of the bargain - a side which paves over open land, annihilates Main Street businesses, and rolls back wages. The story goes still deeper - following, over a period of seven years, Greenfield decision contrasted with a town 20 miles away which welcomes the corporation. The results of decisions made years earlier are clearly documented. Made by an award-winning filmmaker, Steve Alves, who fought in his town's internationally recognized battle against Wal-Mart. Personal and incisive, 'Talking to the Wall' examines the issue of big box chain stores, and citizens unwittingly turned into a nation of consumers, with humor and depth. This multi-award winning movie has inspired numerous groups to learn how to organize and defeat Wal-Mart.

The film also provides an intriguing history of the US anti-chain store movement of the 1920's and 30's.

Running Time: 57 minutes.

Awards:

John Michaels Memorial Award, Big Muddy Film Festival Vision Award, RiverRun International Film Festival Independent Documentary Rosa Luxemburg Award, New England Film & Video Festival.

Steve Alves, Producer, Writer, Director, Editor

After graduating from the University of Southern California Film School and working in Hollywood and New York City as a film editor for ten years, Steve Alves moved to western Massachusetts and in 1987 and started his own documentary company, Hometown Productions. The company has developed a fast-moving signature style, drawing on a variety of storytelling techniques including animation, film clips, and dramatic vignettes. The first production, 'Life After High School' won numerous awards, including a Gold Plaque from the Chicago International Film Festival. In addition, Alves' company has produced educational films and award-winning television commercials. Since 1997, Alves has written, produced, and directed four films about life in New England. His 2001 production, 'Together in Time', won: a CINE Golden Eagle; Best Short Documentary, International Family Film Festival; and a Gold Award, WorldFest-Houston. 'Talking to the Wall: The Story of an American Bargain', examines the corrosive effects of chain stores on communities.

Review(s): "An incisive history of how chain stores came to dominate the American landscape. ...A mightily personal account of citizen activism. ...A model for other towns facing invasion by a rapacious corporate monolith." - John Boonstra, Valley Advocate

"Hilarious and disturbing" - Al Norman, Sprawl-Busters

"You may never feel the same about shopping at Wal-Mart." - Mark Berger, Winston-Salem Journal

"A personal and funny but very serious expose." - Lauren Freeman, The Daily Collegian