Ellianda
Made in Dagenham (film 2010)
The film “Made in Dagenham” is the inspiration for this photo.
A comedy drama set in 1968, the film dramatises the sewing machinists strike at Ford’s Dagenham car plant in Essex, UK. The female sewing machinists, who made car seat covers, walked out on strike protesting against sexual discrimination and demanding equal pay. The film follows the women and their campaign which led eventually to the 1970 Equal Pay Act.
For the photo I’ve used a close up of a sewing machine foot and threaded needle to illustrate the following themes and concepts in the film:
Applying pressure: A sewing machine foot is used to apply pressure to the fabric to stop it from slipping around while being sewn. The female workers were under pressure from their families, management and social norms not to go out on strike but to accept things as they were. In turn the machinists were applying pressure on Ford management and the UK government to introduce changes.
The foot also represents the fact that the women 'walked' out on strike.
Making their point: The needle represents the point that the women wanted to make and their intention to drive it home through the very fabric of society.
The thread represents the growing number of supporters who are drawn in, persuaded by the women's clear aims.
I chose a late 1960s inspired floral fabric because the film was set in 1968 and women’s fashion is a recurring theme in the film.
I set the photo at an angle to give a more dynamic feel and to give the impression of a vehicle (Ford / the Government) getting ready to turn a corner and take a new direction ( a change in the law).
The photo measures 6 cm across.
Made in Dagenham (film 2010)
The film “Made in Dagenham” is the inspiration for this photo.
A comedy drama set in 1968, the film dramatises the sewing machinists strike at Ford’s Dagenham car plant in Essex, UK. The female sewing machinists, who made car seat covers, walked out on strike protesting against sexual discrimination and demanding equal pay. The film follows the women and their campaign which led eventually to the 1970 Equal Pay Act.
For the photo I’ve used a close up of a sewing machine foot and threaded needle to illustrate the following themes and concepts in the film:
Applying pressure: A sewing machine foot is used to apply pressure to the fabric to stop it from slipping around while being sewn. The female workers were under pressure from their families, management and social norms not to go out on strike but to accept things as they were. In turn the machinists were applying pressure on Ford management and the UK government to introduce changes.
The foot also represents the fact that the women 'walked' out on strike.
Making their point: The needle represents the point that the women wanted to make and their intention to drive it home through the very fabric of society.
The thread represents the growing number of supporters who are drawn in, persuaded by the women's clear aims.
I chose a late 1960s inspired floral fabric because the film was set in 1968 and women’s fashion is a recurring theme in the film.
I set the photo at an angle to give a more dynamic feel and to give the impression of a vehicle (Ford / the Government) getting ready to turn a corner and take a new direction ( a change in the law).
The photo measures 6 cm across.