E-mail a friendAugust 5, 2005
Economist and Why Unions Matter author Michael Yates examines the state of labor unions in the U.S. Filmmakers John Singleton and Craig Brewer discuss their new feature, Hustle & Flow - the talk of this year's Sundance Festival.
Michael D. Yates
Michael D. Yates
Michael Yates is an economist, a longtime labor educator and a former University of Pittsburgh economics professor. He's the author of numerous books, including Naming the System: Inequality and Work in the Global Economy and Why Unions Matter. He's also the associate editor of Monthly Review. After becoming disillusioned with academic life, he took early retirement in '01 and, with his wife, has traveled the country. His new book, Cheap Motels and a Hot Plate examines life in contemporary America.
Craig Brewer
Craig Brewer
Until recently, Craig Brewer was an unknown writer-director whose only credit was the digital movie The Poor and Hungry, a hit on the festival circuit. He's now known as the director of Hustle & Flow, the most successful film in Sundance history. A Virginia native who grew up in Memphis, Brewer wrote and directed plays in school and attended the American Conservatory Theatre. He returned to Memphis and used a small inheritance to make his first feature. Plans are underway to work again with Crunk Pictures on future projects.
John Singleton
John Singleton
At age 24, John Singleton made movie history as the youngest person and the first African American ever to receive a Best Director Oscar nod with his directorial debut, Boyz 'N the Hood. In college, he won several writing awards that led to a deal with Creative Artists Agency and the sale of his debut script. His directing credits include the Shaft remake and 2 Fast 2 Furious. With his partner in Crunk Pictures, Singleton used his clout to make Hustle & Flow, his first independently financed and produced feature.