At Work

Director: 

Valerie Donzelli

Genre: 

Drama/Biography

Country/Region of production: 

France

Synopsis:

At Work tells the true story of a successful photographer who abandons everything to devote himself fully to writing, thus confronting poverty head-on. The film does not deliberately exaggerate suffering or offer cheap consolation. Instead, it realistically portrays one person's struggle and perseverance in rebuilding life values amid the process of "destroying the old self," exploring the eternal themes of ideal versus reality, and freedom versus its price.

Why we recommend it:

At Work is not an inspirational film about "achieving dreams through pursuit," but a sober poem dedicated to idealists. As both director and screenwriter, Valerie Donzelli uses a highly distinctive personal style to vividly depict the devotion of "willing to pay the ultimate price for freedom." The cold, restrained visual language stands in sharp contrast to the burning passion within the character, filling every frame with tension. For this film, Valerie Donzelli won the Best Screenplay Award at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. Lead actor Bastien Bouillon delivers a powerful performance; his understated yet textured portrayal fully brings out the courage and vulnerability of an idealist.