LABOUR EQUALS FREEDOM

The latest film from Damjan Kozole, who established an international reputation with REZERVNI DELI / SPARE PARTS, tells the story of fortysomething Peter who loses his job as an engineer when his factory shuts down. At first the situation seems manageable: His wife earns a good wage and can feed the family. Peter pays regular visits to the labour exchange and pursues various new possibilities – but in vain. As his self-confidence and self-esteem gradually diminish, he starts to mistrust his wife. The marriage deteriorates – and Vera has, in fact, started seeing a colleague clearly superior to Peter in terms both of social status and looks. When Vera readily consents to Peter’s offer of a divorce – made on an impulse because he feels so hurt – he is left alone. His daughter moves out with his wife. Unable to cope with the double blow, he sees no point in staying alive, and tries to hang himself. By chance he is discovered by a neighbour and survives. And then the tragi-comedy takes a surprising turn: Peter is given a chance to prove himself. His display of courage is rewarded with a new job, and slowly his self-confidence begins to return. Through an advertisement he even meets a young woman who seems to like him…