The Land of Orange Groves & Jails
The Land of Orange Groves & Jails unfolds as I finally convince my reluctant, great-aunt Yetta to reveal her story of teenage activism during the free speech and labor battles of 1920s Los Angeles - the country's premier anti-union city. When a red flag was discovered at the summer camp Yetta ran in 1929, she was sentenced to ten years in prison. The resulting case made Yetta into a mini-celebrity touring Depression-era America - and became the Supreme Court's first decision affirming free speech for the 99%, laying critical groundwork for our right to protest and dissent.
This is a "David and Goliath" story of young activists from immigrant families who stood up for their beliefs and helped secure one of America’s most treasured freedoms. A complex story is revealed as Yetta and I journey to the dry, mountainous site of the camp, and I discover boxes of documents stolen from the activists in a Washington DC archive. Out of these boxes emerge a “smoking gun” and the voices of characters, no longer alive, who controlled Los Angeles politics and hounded the youthful activists. As past mixes with present during the filmmaking, Yetta and I have to confront a multi-generational legacy of secrecy and passionate activism. By the end of our journey we both see how Yetta’s story set a powerful precedent for current activism. The title comes from an article Upton Sinclair wrote about Yetta’s case.
**The film uses booming Los Angeles as a lens onto a piece of our nation’s history that seems more relevant today than ever – with increasing corporate power, loss of our constitutional rights, and the growing divide between rich and poor, black and white. This is not the story of a “famous” person - instead it brings to life a group of ordinary but courageous young activists who took risks, suffered consequences, and happened to make history.
“It made me realize how history is made every day and people grow up to make planet Earth a better place.” - high school student
“I honestly thought it was going to bore me but as I watched it it taught me new things… I really like how these former teenage activists are telling their stories and their struggles – they were so brave.” - high school student
“My students loved the film and had a great memory of what they’d seen a week later. That’s a great sign that the film sticks with people.” – university professor
“I find it remarkable that Yetta saw her efforts as nothing more than what she had to do. Her story helps put things into perspective for me and makes me wonder what I can do to improve society.” -university student
The Land of Orange Groves & Jails is a feature documentary currently in post-production.
For more information: Judy Branfman, Producer/Director, sycamorecity@gmail.com
www.orangegrovesandjailsfilm.com
The Land of Orange Groves & Jails inspires viewers at test screenings to imagine the world they want and stand up for what they believe...
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