Paper or Plastic?

(USA, 2008, 80 mins)

digital video

Wisconsin Premiere

cinematographer: Alex D. da Silva
editor: Andrew Gersh, Garret Savage
original music: Marco D'Ambrosio
executive producer: Oren Jacob, Graham Walters
producer: Justine Jacob

• IMDB Film Info
• www.paperorplasticmovie.com
• Trailer

When politicians in national campaigns talk about the “real America,” this is who they mean. Men and women who earn their living as grocery-store cashiers and baggers. Sure, some are teenagers just earning some supplemental cash, but for others it’s how they support their family. It’s not surprising that they take pride in their work, even if that’s simply packing the bag so that the eggs don’t get crushed. What is surprising is that the National Grocers Association’s Best Bagger competition turns out to be a thoroughly entertaining subject for a documentary. The free trip to Las Vegas for the finals is certainly motivation for some state champs, as Vegas remains a kind of Mecca for America’s working class. The rules are very specific: a fixed assortment of grocery products is assembled and weighed. Contestants are scored on speed and technique, meaning how securely and safely all the pieces are packed (bread on top!). The teams cheering on their representatives also show how grocery store culture has changed: the ladies from the small-town IGA who know everyone in their town, pitted against the youthful clerks from the high-end, organic superstore.

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