by Lagan Sebert
AFI FEST Daily News

Amie Williams, director, NO SWEAT

WITH THE RECENT SURGE in the number and success of political documentaries, it is not surprising to see so many at AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi. But what becomes of these efforts? FAHRENHEIT 9/11 broke records at the box office and sparked worldwide debate, but did it have an effect on current politics?

For this five-part AFI FEST Daily News series, filmmakers were asked:

"Do documentary films have the ability to significantly affect the social and political environment. And, should they?"

Part 5 of 5: Amie Williams, director, NO SWEAT

NO SWEAT, directed by Amie Williams, is an all-American documentary about an all-American garment - the T-shirt.

The film takes a wild ride into the bowels of the Los Angeles garment industry. Undocumented workers at American Apparel and SweatX are offered better wages, benefits, even a shot at worker-ownership. But what's really behind the label?

"Depends. If you're looking at the 'preaching to the converted' kind of docs vs. ones that crossover to the 'other' side.

"I'm thinking YouTube and the proliferation of self-made documentary-style statements are nothing but good news for effecting change.

"I don't think Michael Moore's FAHRENHEIT 9/11 did anything for folks who already hated him.

"On the other hand, all the excellent docs on the Iraq war, like Patricia's Folkrod's THE GROUND TRUTH and Lauira Poutras' MY COUNTRY MY COUNTRY are certainly having a huge impact."

- Amie Williams, Director, "No Sweat", October 2006

NO SWEAT screens Tuesday November 7, 9:45 PM, and Wednesday Nov 8, 5:30 PM

The complete "Do Docs Deliver?" series for AFI FEST Daily News, also available at www.AFI.com and moviefone.com/afifest:

• Part 1: MOTHERLAND AFGHANISTAN director Sedika Mojadidi (November 3)
• Part 2: SCREAMERS director Carla Garapedian (November 3)
• Part 3: BACK HOME director J.B. Rutagarama (November 4)
• Part 4: A CRUDE AWAKENING - THE OILCRASH co-director Ray McCormack (November 5)
• Part 5: NO SWEAT director Amie Williams (November 7)