The Chicago Film Critics Association stands with the WGA and SAG members currently fighting for fairer wages, control over their work, and reasonable business practices.

As film critics, we have seen the chasm between studio heads and the artists who made them wealthy grow over the years and support any work stoppage that leads to a more artistically conducive world. The truth is that the system has been increasingly broken for years, and this dual strike seemed like an inevitable way to fix it. There are many issues at play and we encourage everyone to read this explainer from Vulture to understand exactly what’s being fought for on the picket lines and in negotiation rooms.

We also want to make clear that the Board of Directors supports our members in any decision they make regarding covering entertainment during this strike, and would encourage anyone with questions on that matter to check this FAQ from SAG itself that delineates role differences between critics and influencers in this entire affair. While we believe that the analysis of art in our roles as film critics is separate from the business machinations of the industry, we also support any decisions made by individual members and their editors regarding the issue.