Butte, Montana is considered the most toxic city in the United States, the legacy of copper mining that took US$25 billion out of the ground and left more than 10,000 workers dead. More Americans died mining copper in Butte during WWI than died fighting in 'The war to end all wars'!

The Anaconda Mining Company took over the town at the turn of the last century and made sure they would always have access to cheap, expendable labour through terror tactics. In 1917, pioneering union organiser Frank Little was abducted at night by company men, dragged behind a car at high speed for miles, and then hung from a bridge with a sign around his neck warning other workers against joining the union.

This fascinating documentary, a murder mystery that is daring in both technique and content, traces the history of exploitation while sounding a terrible warning for the future. Music by Low, Jim O'Rourke (Sonic Youth) and Will Oldham (Palace, Bonnie Prince Billy).

'One of the Sundance's strongest documentary titles, its message deserves a much wider airing.' -Variety

D/P/S Travis Wilkerson WS First Run/Icarus Films TD Video/Col/2002/53mins

Travis Wilkerson was born in Colorado, USA. Films: An Injury to One (MIFF 2004).