Commentary on the film: The Employment
An original idea for a strong message: the alienation of men. The choice to replace objects with humans perfectly expresses the feeling of resignation of men whose entire life is taken up by work.The expressionless characters, the slow visual rhythm, the desaturated colours and the monotonous atmosphere accentuate the fatalism of the film. A small message of hope at the end: The Lamp Man becomes aware of his condition and refuses to work.
The short film will also help explain to children the principles of satire, mocking criticism and exaggeration of a real situation in the service of a message.
Watch another satirical film on the
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, A satire of consumer society (And then...).Questioning the film: The Employment
Understand the story, the theme, express your sensibility and exercise your critical thinking skills.Clarify before viewing that the English title "The Employment" means "The Employee".
1 What roles (or occupations) do the men play in the film?
The men play the role of objects.
In chronological order, a lamp (1 min 3 s), a mirror (1 min 23 s), a table, chair and ceiling light (1 min 40 s), a coat rack (2 min 10 s) and key ring (2 min 15 s), a taxi (2 min 35 s), traffic lights (2 min 40 s), a sliding door (3 min), a lift counterweight (3 min 20 s), a storage locker (4 min 2 s), a doormat (4 min 55 s).
2 What is surprising about the end of the film?
The main character in the film, who was thought to be more important than the other men because they were all at his service, is in fact a doormat.He is therefore himself at the service of others and his job is even less pleasant than the others'.
3 Do you think the film's credits are optimistic?
Yes, it is a message of hope: the Lampe man becomes aware of his condition and refuses to work.Maybe this is the beginning of a change.
4 The characters in the film have jobs that maybe they don't like.
And in our society, do you think that everyone has a job that they like?
Open answer / debate.
Download PDF of the film's educational activities
Created with the support of the Ministry of Education and the CNC.Family viewing of the film, educational activities with parents at home and with teachers in class.
Slavery (EMC) (Cycle 3)
Educational activities proposed by Valérie from the Val 10 blog based on the film The Employment.
Discover other educational sheets created with the support of the French Ministry of Education and the CNC...
