"As we are facing a grim future for the next four years, Brett Story and Stephen Maing's new documentary, UNION, should resonate more than ever."

"Richly observed."

“Rooted in a stirring recognition that sometimes we must strive for a better world even if we don’t have a perfect alternative in place.”

"As this documentary by Brett Story and Stephen Maing chronicles, the efforts to unionize a warehouse in New York were successful — but also a grind."

"It is hard to capture, on film, the often exhausting work of organizing workplace labor... but UNION does it."

"One of the best American films about the labor movement since 1940’s The Grapes of Wrath."

"Celebrates a glimmer of hope in an era of all-encompassing darkness."

"A powerful reminder of what’s at stake when companies reduce workers to numbers on a balance sheet."

"A raw examination of labor organization at its most powerful, pure, and fragile."

“Tough and gripping.”

“A key addition to the canon of workers’ cinema.”

“A nuanced portrait of the challenges of leadership and a revealing celebration of the values of persistence, solidarity and free weed.”

“A sober look at the internal guessing games and debate that ensue within a movement because of an impervious adversary … Individually, the imagery Maing and Story capture may not call attention to itself, but fittingly, it holds tremendous power collectively.”

"Captures both the pain and the power of people at the base of a global infrastructure."

"A stark reminder that while victories for the American worker can still be achieved, the struggle is ongoing."

"Undeniably political in its focus while being artful and observational in its approach... Simmers like a present-day techno-thriller."

“The never-ending growth of Amazon’s empire has led to expansion beyond comprehension and predictably problems beyond control as workers have started to push back against a litany of unfair practices. The documentary UNION pulls together the stories and journeys of those fighting against them, centering Chris Smalls, the famed organiser of the company’s first-ever union.”

"The kind of rights that the ALU secured – however reasonable and modest – are still precarious, have never been freely given and need to be fought for."

"UNION — the new documentary [Brett Story] co-directed with Stephen Maing about the Amazon Labor Union — received the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival."

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"After garnering an award at the Sundance Film Festival and glowing reviews, UNION still didn’t have any major distribution deals on the table — so the filmmakers began planning an unabashedly pro-organized labor theatrical strategy."

"The film, which follows a successful grassroots effort by Amazon workers in Staten Island to form the first US Amazon union, debuted amid the highest levels of union approval since the 1960s." 

"UNION documents the story of a group of employees who try to form a union a a Staten Island Amazon Fulfillment Center, JFK8 on Staten Island, New York."

"Filmmakers Brett Story (The Hottest August, 2019) and Stephen Maing (Crime + Punishment, 2018) were there from the struggle’s early moments, filming as organizers (including Chris Smalls, whose wrongful termination lit the match of the unionization effort) built power, disagreed over tactics, and continuously committed to the tireless day-to-day work that made their David versus Goliath achievement possible."

"A story of complicated people power."

"There haven’t been a lot of documentaries this year that carry on the tradition of Robert Drew and the rest of the filmmakers involved in the observational Direct Cinema style, but Stephen Maing and Brett Story keep it going with UNION."

"A gritty David and Goliath story set in a blue collar world against a corporate America backdrop."

"Documents a worthwhile cause with insight and intimacy." 

"Other political films that have had to turn to self-distribution despite earning strong reviews are Sundance opener about organizing an Amazon warehouse."

"An indelible portrait of the modern American labor struggle."

"Essential viewing... brilliant."

"An indelible portrait of the modern American labor struggle."

"Films about Israel and a union drive at Amazon are acclaimed Oscar hopefuls. But they are largely unavailable to American audiences."

"Stylistically haunting, politically urgent, and guided by its subjects’ journeys rather than a predetermined structure."

"Not your grandmother’s organized labor documentary."

"There is a clear honesty in the approach here since, although the events depicted would lead to the successful outcome in the spring of 2022, the film also shows the tensions and disputes that arise among those wanting action be taken."

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"From the rousing leader dismissed for leading a walkout to the activists handing out free burgers, pizza and weed, an inspiring new documentary charts the long, hard fight to create the delivery giant’s first union."

"Grapples with what it means to tell an underdog story without a satisfying ending."

"As much a portrait of a struggle as it is a win."

"Riveting… Only with Maing and Story jointly behind the lens... there’s enough street cred between the two to inspire unwavering trust."

"A key addition to the canon of workers’ cinema... Traces the intimate, intense vérité approach..."

"Tough and gripping… because — of how eagerly this film throws us into the frontlines..."

"Astounding, rebellious… brilliant."

"Using unobtrusive direct cinema techniques, the documentary takes us inside the fledgling union..."

"Has all the drama and intrigue that a narrative feature could offer."