We Are Not Machines

Hidden in the shadows is a Latino workforce who feels they have no voice. A means to keep an arms-length from these workers, temporary and sub-contracted work offers little protections and few legal obligations by employers. But workers do have a voice, and together they are empowering one another and making noise to move progress forward.

No Somos Máquinas: We are Not Machines has been created in partnership with National Employment Law Project (NELP) and Silent Sea Productions.  The film provides insight into the abuses and mistreatment of temporary workers, sub-contracted construction workers, and janitorial and domestic workers in New Jersey. Seeking to define itself as a new kind of union that educates, organizes, and advocates for workers without typical job protections, New Labor empowers disenfranchised laborers to become leaders who fight for progressive action.

No Somos Máquinas follows the staff of New Labor and many members as they share their stories of abuse and disillusionment and their evolution into empowered, knowledgeable individuals who are aware of their rights and demanding equity. The film highlights these transformations and details the methods the worker organization employs to build strong organizers and leaders. From here, we see grassroots strength enacting change at the personal, local, and state level.

Mark Nistico is a seven time award-winning producer and director whose critically acclaimed feature film Blue Collar Boys was included in the 2013 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Permanent Core Collection and cited as "the most politically appropriate film in theaters" by LA Weekly and "one of the top ten American films of the decade" - Cinema Minima.  

Mark has been writing, producing and directing for over two decades. He has conceptualized  narrative and documentary films, television pilots, and commercials.  Mark has worked in the television industry as a story producer and editor. He has performed and recorded music as a percussionist and music plays a prominent part in his visual style.