When the Coca Cola bottling plant in Guatemala City was abruptly closed in 1984, 460 workers lost jobs. The owners claimed bankruptcy, the workers cried foul play and refused to leave the plant. THE REAL THING tells the union's story, and of the ultimately successful year long occupation of the plant, as it examines the use of bankruptcy as a method to bust unions and the neglect of foreign responsibilities by U.S. based multinationals.

"THE REAL THING is one of the most important documentaries available on Latin American labor issues."—Choice