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In another election year 100 years ago, farmers joined with labor in North Dakota to organize a political movement to contest the power of the big banks, railroads and giant grain monopolies. The Non-Partisan League won control of the state legislature, elected the governor, and enacted a progressive reform agenda.
Shot on location in North Dakota, the film “Northern Lights” (USA, 1978, 95 minutes) follows a young farmer turned Non-Partisan League organizer in 1916 as his increasing political activity conflicts with his personal life.
The continuing “Twin Cities Labor Movie Night” film series presents “Northern Lights” Friday, April 15, at 6 p.m. at the East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier St., St. Paul. Admission is free, donations welcome.
The film won the 1979 Cannes Film Festival’s “Caméra d’Or”award for best first feature film.
“Labor Movie Night” is sponsored by AFSCME Local 3800, AFSCME Council 5, AFSCME Council 5 Next Wave, AFSCME Locals 34, 552, 607, 1164 and 2822, IBEW Local 292, Teamsters Local 638, UNITE HERE Local 17, East Side Freedom Library and Minneapolis Labor Review.
This article is reprinted from the Minneapolis Labor Review.