José Luis Valle | Mexico, Germany| 2013 | 120' | Spanish | Dutch subtitles
Present-day Mexico is a country of extremes. There are many who can barely make ends made while others wallow in excessive luxury. Director José Luis Valle convincingly thematizes this situation in his darkly comic feature film debut Workers. The film, set in Tijuana, tells the story of Rafael and Lidia, who were once married but have lost touch completely. The one thing they have in common now is that they are both about to retire.
Timid Rafael, a Philips factory's janitor, has always been a diligent worker and therefore assumes his retirement will follow without a hitch. A malicious human resource manager holds a rather contrary view. Lidia works as a maid for a well-to-do widow who has dedicated her life to her rottenly spoiled doggy Princess. When the widow dies, it emerges that she has left her entire fortune to her dog. Lidia and her fellow employees will have to wait for the dog to die to receive their share. Valle narrates Rafael's and Lidia's stories in simultaneous arcs. Their lives never cross, the two never run into each other. He depicts his characters from a detached viewpoint with stylized, realistic images.
Director José Luis Valle will be present for a Q&A after the screenings.
Rialto: Fri 16 aug – 19:00
Rialto: Sat 17 aug – 21:30 