Private Project

The Socialists of Shoe City

At the turn of the 20th century, a small town in Massachusetts famous for its shoe factories birthed the nation's labor movement and elected the country's first socialist mayor.

  • Shana Figueroa
    Director
    Forever War, The Long Dark Spring Break of the Soul
  • E. Philip Brown
    Writer
    The Queen of Connemara
  • E. Philip Brown
    Producer
    The Queen of Connemara
  • Michael Dukakis
    Key Cast
  • Patricia O'Malley
    Key Cast
  • James Fiorentini
    Key Cast
  • Stuart Weitzman
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    34 minutes 6 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 26, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    4,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Shana Figueroa

Shana is a writer, director, and film editor based out of the greater Boston area. Before getting into film, she spent 20 years in the US Air Force as an aerospace engineer. After retiring in 2021, she radically switched careers to cultivate her creative side. She’s written seven novels and dozens of short stories, as well as written, directed, and produced successful short films.

Shana loves the horror and comedy genres the most and often uses her military background and family experiences as inspiration. She also loves video games, martial arts, and portly pugs. When she's not writing and directing her own films, she does editing, sound design, color correction, and script-doctoring for other filmmakers under the business moniker FigTastic Films.

Check out her work at www.figtasticfilms.com, and shoot her a line at figtasticfilms@gmail.com!

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Producer Bio - E. Philip Brown

E. Philip Brown is an accomplished public historian, award-winning producer an artist educator with a deep commitment to preserving and sharing the vibrant history of the Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts. He lives in Haverhill with his wife, Chrisi Kotis Brown, and their two sons, drawing inspiration from his family and community.

An active participant in civic life, Mr. Brown is a proud member of the Haverhill Rotary Club, AHEPA Acropolis Chapter #39, and the Haverhill Democratic City Committee, where he advocates for progressive values and community service.

His published works include Greeks of the Merrimack Valley, Armenians of the Merrimack Valley, and the popular Haverhill, Massachusetts Trivia Book, each offering a unique lens on the cultural richness of his hometown. His latest book, In Service to America: Haverhill’s Heroes from Concord to Kabul, honors the bravery and sacrifice of Haverhill’s veterans across generations.

Mr. Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Arts in Public History from American Public University. Through his work, he aims to foster a deeper understanding of local history, inspiring others to connect with the stories that shape their communities.

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Director Statement

Featuring former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Michael Dukakis and world-renowned luxury shoe designer Stuart Weitzman, The Socialists of Shoe City was inspired by the fascinating stories recounted by E. Philip’s grandmother about her time working in the shoe factories in the 1880s beginning when she was just 12 years old. This little-known history of the roots of America’s progressive movement is produced and told with spunk and scrappy heart by the colorful citizens of Haverhill themselves. The charming and timely Socialists of Shoe City will give hope to anyone dismayed by the current political landscape by showing how good people can make a lasting difference, and that the cure for tyranny is community.