The Education (2011) - Dirk Lütter

The Education (2011) - Dir: Dirk Lütter

An intense exploration of the corporate office space. Nothing much happens, but the constant threat of being made redundant looms. Spying on your colleagues and reporting anything that may make them look bad to bosses is actively encouraged, which seems rather similar to the way KGB or the Stasi operated. The smallest bit of information that you provide may mean the loss of a much-needed job to someone. This affects the way people interact in the office environment. The icy cold, steel-grey palette used enhances the threat and plays down anything mildly warm. The only escape is shopping malls, gadgets and other objects of pleasure available, such as games. The few outdoor scenes provide only a limited relief to the characters and to viewers, which in turn enhances the claustrophobia of the work environment. A must-watch for service-sector employees and those who hope to boost their economic situation thanks to them.

Aviva, my love (2006) - Shemi Zarhin

Interview with director Shemi Zarhin

Labour equals freedom (2004) - Damjan Kozole

A film that retains its optimism and humour despite dreary economic conditions in a globalized Europe, and that without getting syrupy sweet.

Shop of dreams (2005) - Peeter Urbla

The Axe (2005) - Costa-Gavras

"I've had people tell me that films I've made have changed their lives. It's a very frightening idea and I do not think it can be true. Perhaps a film can catalyze something that has been waiting for expression. I make films to tell stories. If I believed film could change lives, I would be afraid to make them."

"Le Couperet is interesting in several ways," says Costa-Gavras. "First of all, there is no historical remoteness for the audience to use as a distancing tool. Only the satire mediates the intimacy of this tale. I'm frequently surprised by how people react to the film. People leave glad that Davert's plan has not been uncovered even though it goes against every possible system of morality and ethics. It is perhaps a sign of how far down certain roads we have travelled as a culture."

"What interested me in the book was to realize that liberalism, without brakes, and almost without laws, has become common. Fifteen years ago, it concerned only the United States; but today, it concerns the Europeans as well. To put it simply, I would say that we make economy surge ahead, to the detriment of humans."