‘In Administration’ by Giorgia Scalia provides a pertinent and profoundly emotional examination of the contemporary labour system via the path of a young man. The unstable character of work in the modern economy is explored in this short film, which emphasises both the systemic problems that demotivate even the most committed employees as well as the human costs.
The main character, a seemingly casual but sincere young man, describes his turbulent encounters with the working world. Many people can relate to his story of being abruptly let go from his first job after years of dedication and then having to deal with more layoffs at a second company because of budget restrictions. Scalia brilliantly captures his spiral into annoyance and disillusionment, which leads to his audacious choice to resign from a system that he believes has let him down time and time again.
When the protagonist’s father steps in with a recommendation for a follow-up job interview, the story of the movie takes an interesting turn. The protagonist struggles with his anger towards the system and his duty to his father in what follows, which is a gripping blend of emotional tension and subtly disruptive behaviour. Viewers of the movie are left wondering if the protagonist’s defiance is an act of empowerment or a further submission to pessimism.
Authenticity is what makes In Administration so powerful. Based on actual occurrences, Scalia’s direction guarantees that each shot captures unfiltered emotion. The protagonist’s journey is sympathetic since it not only examines the labour market but also reflects a larger social problem: the decline in confidence in a system that frequently favours average over merit.
Intimate storytelling and moving images are used by Scalia’s subtle yet powerful directing style to emphasise the protagonist’s hardships. The lead, in particular, gives a moving performance that captures the quiet sorrow of a man struggling with dashed hopes. A must-watch for anyone looking for a provocative look at the difficulties of contemporary work is In Administration. It’s a reflection on identity, self-worth, and the evolving nature of labour in a society that frequently puts business before of people, not merely a story about losing one’s job.
Director Statement
This work was born from the need to tell the story of a system;the work system. Unfortunately, in a time of crisis like the one we are living in, it is increasingly difficult to change or even find a job. Unemployment is rampant… The protagonist of this short story really exists and the vicissitudes told are true.A man who started working very young and who at about 35 years of age found himself in the middle of the street seeing around him that the worst were getting ahead while he, after a series of compliments for the excellent work done, was left at home.The world of work is truly strange, the system is, and despite this, our protagonist had faith in this system until the end; faced with yet another “betrayal”, being fired from the second company, he decides that it is better to keep then est egg saved with years of sacrifices and watch those who work from the window.Now, it is the world of work that owes something to him.Even when faced with his father’s recommendation to take an interview at another company, our protagonist will do everything to ruin what he now considers his main enemy: work.It’s a s if the world of work itself had created the potential do-nothing.