The Boston Film Festival will host the first public screening of the documentary “We The People: The Market Basket Effect” on Sept. 20.
The film tells the story behind the six-week boycott of the Massachusetts-based Market Basket supermarket chain in the summer of 2014 in support of ousted CEO Arthur T. Demoulas, who had been removed by his cousin, Arthur S. Demoulas, the majority shareholder in the company. The CEO was reinstated after Market Basket customers and the 25,000 employees successfully enforced the boycott of the 71-store regional chain, leading to a leveraged buyout of the company.
Arthur T. Demoulas contended that employees, managers and customers were members of a common enterprise and the chain became known for loyal employees, community involvement and reasonable prices.
The film is produced by New Hampshire natives Nick Buzzell and Mike Buzzell, former New Line Cinema executive Robert “Bobby” Friedman and Ted Leonsis, Chairman of SnagFilms. Friedman is also CEO of Bungalow Media.
Michael Chiklis narrates the film. Chiklis and Leonsis grew up in Lowell, Mass., and the latter was a bagger at the Market Basket in that city.
“This film celebrates the incredible resolve of an amazing group of people who had the will and desire to affect change,” Leonsis said. “It truly captures the current national discourse and recounts one of the most relevant stories ever told in America.”
Nick Buzzell told Variety that the producers are planning on a regional roll-out of the film in New England.
“This film shows the true power of the people in an epic battle of the 99% vs. the 1%, as well as the unified loyalty toward a CEO who treats their employees and customers exceptionally well,” he added. “We can’t wait for the rest of the world to witness the strength and passion of this community. This film is something that everyone can relate to in a time of great national discourse, where people are seeking to restore the fabric of the American Dream.”
“We The People: The Market Basket Effect” is directed by Tommy Reid, whose credits include “Danny Greene: The Rise and Fall of the Irishman,” “To Kill The Irishman” and “I Know That Voice.”
