Everyday People (1990)

JoAnn Elams unfinished project EVERYDAY PEOPLE filmed from 1979 to 1990 is based on her experiences as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service in Chicago primarily the Logan Square neighborhood Camera in hand Elam follows coworkers as they deliver the mail throughout various Chicago neighborhoods Elams construction of this filminprogress creates a lovely cadence and rhythm that transforms the repetitive motions of the postal worker pushing the mail cart carrying the bag avoiding the dogs opening the gates and climbing the steps to the front door to something poetic yet startlingly familiar Their stories heard mostly in voiceover are those of everyday people who at the time struggled with issues of race and gender in relationship to their work