Synopsis:
THE PICKERS is a journey to European fields where our fruit and vegetables are grown. Blueberries in Portugal, olives in Greece, strawberries in Spain – 1 million migrants are harvesting in Europe. They are the mobile working force, that fill our baskets in the supermarkets, travelling from one area to the next.
Most do not have contracts or minimum wages; some are illegal or have high depths with agents.
Directors: Elke Sasse
Elke Sasse is a documentary filmmaker whose work highlights diverse human stories from around the globe. From documenting garlic farmers in China and dancehall pensioners in Berlin to exploring global socio-political issues, her films find the "big" in the "small." Notable works include Babske Radio, set on a village bench in Ukraine, Worldwide Berlin, capturing a day in cities named Berlin worldwide, chronicling refugee journeys to Europe. Sasse’s films, such as The War on my Phone, Oil Promises, and Tomatoes and Greed, delve into themes of migration, global trade, and social justice, offering poignant insights into contemporary challenges.
Producers: Kristian Kaehler | Editing: Janine Dauterich, Peter Klum | DOP: Marcus Zahn | Sound: Karsten Höfer, Pascal Capitolin | Language: Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Bambara, Urdu | Subtitle: English, Arabic