EMPLOYEES (IMPIEGATI)
Italy, 1984, 98 minutes, Colour.
Claudio Botosso, Dario Parisini,
Directed by Pupi Avati.
Employers is an enjoyable Italian film written and directed by Pupi Avati (Stories of Boys and Girls, Declaration of Love). Avati draws on his own memories and experiences in the Romagna area of Italy, centred on Bologna.
This time he focuses on a young man who is employed in a bank. We see his life at work, at home, boarding with a student. We see him in his interactions with the personal at the office, the complications of his life. We see his ambitions, his awkwardness, his mistakes!
The film is a well constructed and entertaining slice of ordinary life.
1. A portrait of Italy in the 80s? In the Romagna area? Ordinary people and ordinary lives in the city?
2. The work of Avati, his interests in people, groups, their situation, interactions?
3. The Bologna settings, the city, the bank, streets and restaurants, apartments? Authentic?
4. The ensemble acting, the people at the bank, at work, social life, the networks, business? Avati’s attention to the detail of daily life and work?
5. Luigi as the centre of the film, his family background rand contacts, coming to the centre, entree into the bank? A young man, age and experience, personality and style? Hesitant? Life in the city, at the bank, interaction with the authorities? Fellow workers? His attraction towards the women? Valeria and Marcella, dates with them, his being dumped, their drinking, his awkwardness and shyness? friendship with Enrico, going to Enrico's home, the encounter with Annaliese and his attraction towards her, the kiss, confessing to Enrico? The phone calls to Annalisa? His relationship with Dario, the interaction in the apartment, not a great friendship? Talking, getting to know each other? Luigi's distance from Dario? Taking him to the party, wanting him to meet Annalisa, deceiving Enrico for her sake? The confrontation in the restaurant? The reaction of Dario, going off in the car, his death? The changes at the bank, the changing situation for Luigi? On the street and his reviewing his life - in seconds? The changes at the bank, the new girl, asking for the date - and her standing him up again? The encounter with Dario’s father? His future?
6. Dario, the student, the flashbacks to his family, family bonds, the brother with the Downs Syndrome? Study, life at home, his interactions with Luigi? The meeting with Annalisa, the affair, with her at the apartment? The confrontation with Enrico in the restaurant, bringing Annalisa? His death? The grief of his father?
7. Enrico and Annalisa, a brittle marriage, Enrico and his pride, Annalisa and her attraction towards men, the interaction with Luigi, the outings, Dario, the affair?
8. Alberto, the men at the office, the young man going to America? Valeria and Marcelo, their work, at parties, drinking, singing?
9. The boss, his relationships with women, his not advancing in the bank, his confiding in Luigi?
10. An interesting slice of life? The Italian perspective? Universal appeal?
