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Boots Riley's “I Love Boosters” Debuts, Sparks Worker Activism

4/30/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Boots Riley’s film “I Love Boosters” opens in theaters on May 22, 2026, premiering at South by Southwest.
It screened at Boston Festival on April 22, 2026.
Corvette (Keke Palmer), Mariah (Taylour Paige), and Sade (Naomi Ackie) sacrifice a $100,000 shipment to topple mogul Christie Smith (Demi Moore).
Metro Designers workers pay about $40 for outfits deducted from paychecks, prompting Riley to say the film aims to inspire a movement.

History

Historical Context

In September 1965 Larry Itliong’s Filipino AWOC struck in Delano, and a week later Cesar Chavez’s Mexican NFWA joined, creating the United Farm Workers. After five years of boycotts, 26 grape growers signed historic contracts in July 1970 that raised wages for over 10,000 workers and added health benefits. Boots Riley’s 2026 film “I Love Boosters” echoes that legacy in today’s corporate-accountability fight.

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Story summary

Boots Riley’s film “I Love Boosters” opens in theaters on May 22, 2026, premiering at South by Southwest.
It screened at Boston Festival on April 22, 2026.
Corvette (Keke Palmer), Mariah (Taylour Paige), and Sade (Naomi Ackie) sacrifice a $100,000 shipment to topple mogul Christie Smith (Demi Moore).
Metro Designers workers pay about $40 for outfits deducted from paychecks, prompting Riley to say the film aims to inspire a movement.

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