Labor Equals Freedom

Synopsis

The main hero, Peter, is in his early forties. He’s a machine operator by profession. Until recently, he worked in a factory, but after Slovenia's integration into the European Union, the factory closed down and Peter and his colleagues have been made redundant. Peter's wife is very supportive and their family life appears to be quite satisfactory. Peter is paying regular visits to the Employment Service and is trying to find another job wherever he can, but all his efforts are in vain. Slowly but surely, he is loosing self-confidence and self-esteem. He becomes suspicious of his wife, Vera, and thinks that she might be cheating on him. When it almost seems that all Peter's fears and suspicions are only in his head, it turns out that Very is actually seeing another man. Peter demands a divorce immediately, and Vera agrees. Almost overnight Peter remains alone, as Vera moves out and takes Sonja, their daughter, with her. In a moment of despair, Peter decides to hang himself. He takes a rope and when the rope is tightening around his neck a doorbell rings. By mere coincidence a neighbour, who just wanted to borrow some coffee, saves his life. Peter ends up in a psychiatric ward. After this episode, his pointless life goes on - his everyday visits to the Employment Service become a routine, he frequents a local bar for a beer and a chat with his friends. One day, on his way home, he finds all his neighbours, scared and worried, in front of the house. He learns that gas has been leaking in the cellar. Fire-fighters should have arrived already, but they got stuck in a traffic jam. There is a real danger of explosion. Peter does not hesitate; he runs into the building and manages to shut down the main valve, although he almost suffocates. His neighbours are cheering him when he comes out of the building, they are happy and relieved, and the house manager offers him a job of a caretaker.

Peter is more than happy. His self-esteem rises and -through a lonely hearts ad- he soon meets a young woman from Primorska (the coastal area). On their first date, they make a trip to Lake Bled. At the end of the day, they agree to see each other again next Sunday...

director's statement

The film speaks of the fears that grow inside us, the fear of losing financial or social security, and the fear of losing our loved ones. The film shows how the protagonist first gives up every hope then regains it through a course of events.

Labour Equals Freedom is a tragi-comedy in which despair intertwines with humour, and in which optimism eventually defeats pessimism and dark feelings of despair.

Damjan Kozole