Out of Reach Will Screen in Milwaukee
The documentary exploring the decline of American manufacturing debuts at the Oriental Theater on September 26, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Manufacturing
Live Poll
Do you feel the American dream of financial security is still achievable for your generation?
Filmmaker Faith Kohler will premiere her documentary, Out of Reach, on September 26, 2026, at the Oriental Theater in Milwaukee. The film examines the decline of manufacturing jobs in the United States by chronicling the history of companies like Master Lock.
Why it matters
The documentary highlights how deindustrialization has diminished long-term employment opportunities for workers. It further explores how rising costs for essential needs like health insurance and housing have fundamentally altered American living standards.
The film analyzes shifts in the American middle class over a 30 to 40-year window. It contrasts this with reports that many current workers lack employer-provided health insurance or paid time off.
The players
Faith Kohler
She is the filmmaker who produced the documentary Out of Reach to analyze national labor trends.
Master Lock
This is a Milwaukee-based manufacturer whose historical workforce shifts serve as a primary case study in the documentary.
The details
Through interviews with subjects across multiple generations, Kohler tracks the evolution of Milwaukee manufacturing icons like Master Lock. The narrative bridges the gap between historical stability in the 1970s and the contemporary economic challenges faced by local employees.
Timeline
The film will show at the Oriental Theater on September 26, 2026, at 11 a.m.
Master Lock began moving jobs offshore during the 1980s.
The personal history of workers at Master Lock dates back to the 1970s.
Market Landscape
This documentary follows the pattern set by the post-1970s deindustrialization of the American Rust Belt. It positions the local Milwaukee experience as a microcosmic view of the broader national shift away from domestic manufacturing sectors.
The film sheds light on the reality of declining job benefits, including the lack of employer-provided health insurance and paid time off for many workers. Residents may find the film relevant to understanding the economic pressures currently facing the local labor force.
The takeaway
The transition from the manufacturing-heavy economy of the 1970s has created new financial hurdles for modern families. Understanding this historical progression helps residents contextualize current debates over job security and benefits.
Further reading
Learn more about the shifting economic landscape at Milwaukee Manufacturing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR.
Live Poll
Do you feel the American dream of financial security is still achievable for your generation?
