Categories: cinema
Date: 04 October 2008 04:04:11
Her Whole Life Ahead, a superb Italian comedy I saw last night; the third film I saw as part of the Italian Film Festival. And it is more than a comedy: it is a very honest look at temporary workers [in this case workers in a Call Centre] and the struggles they face to live their life and make something of themselves. The title is extremely ironic: Marta and her friends do have their whole life ahead, but what kind of life will it be?
Plenty of laugh-out-loud moments; plenty of distressing moments; a fair share of sad moments. But I loved it. And a large part of me loving this film is because, while it is a comedy, it was not afraid to have a good hard look at issues that are facing young people and workers in Italy, and I would say facing such workers here in Australia as well, if not around the world. Workers who can be fired easily. Who have no benefits. Who complete, or drop out of, degrees and must take work that is completely unfulfilling. Those who live in a constant state of uncertainty. It reminded me how lucky I am to have a permanent job.
A movie I recommend entirely; for its message as much as its superb production values, cast [great actors and characters], story and the many, many laugh-out-loud moments. I could not find an extended clip of how the Call Centre starts its day, with music and motivation exclamations, giving the idea of harmonious and joyful surrounds [which of course is not the whole truth]; but this behind-the-scenes clip gives you an idea of one thing you could expect from this multifaceted film.