Il Posto
Encyclopedia
Il Posto is an Italian film
directed by Ermanno Olmi
. An extension of Italian Neorealism
, it explores many of the dehumanizing practices of the corporation from the viewpoint of an Italian adolescent.
Meeting with a superior, he is informed that no clerical positions are available, subsequently taking a job as a messenger while awaiting a better position, gradually stripping him of his individuality. While on an errand for his job, he meets Antonietta again, now working as a typist. She invites him to a party, which he attends later in the evening. Arriving at the party alone, he befriends an older couple despite being depressed at the prospect of Antonietta not showing up. When an older woman asks him to dance, he reluctantly agrees after a few drinks, in which he finds himself enjoying, forgetting the sorrows of his job and Antonietta. Returning to work the following day, he is offered a recently vacated desk of an employee since departed (an aspiring writer, presumed to have killed himself). Before obtaining the seat, he is moved to the back in a dimly lit corner when the other employees complain of his relative youth in acquiring this 'prestigious' seat. As the film ends, Domenico has obtained this 'job for life', committing himself to the desperation of a banal career. The film, shot in Milan
, is in part a satire on Italy's "economic miracle."
Cinema of Italy
The history of Italian cinema began just a few months after the Lumière brothers had patented their Cinematographe, when Pope Leo XIII was filmed for a few seconds in the act of blessing the camera.-Early years:...
directed by Ermanno Olmi
Ermanno Olmi
Ermanno Olmi is a renowned Italian film director.-Biography:Olmi was born in Bergamo, Lombardy. He is married to Loredana Detto, who played Antonietta Masetti in Il Posto....
. An extension of Italian Neorealism
Italian neorealism
Italian neorealism is a style of film characterized by stories set amongst the poor and working class, filmed on location, frequently using nonprofessional actors...
, it explores many of the dehumanizing practices of the corporation from the viewpoint of an Italian adolescent.
Synopsis
The film tells the story of Domenico, a young man who forgoes the latter part of his education when his family is in need of money. Applying for a job at a big city corporation, he goes through a bizarre series of exams, physical tests and interviews. During a brief respite from the tests, he meets Antonietta, a young girl who has similarly forgone her schooling when in need of money to support herself and her mother. Through the course of this meeting, they have coffee at a local cafe, discussing the issues of their lives and their ambitions. Becoming attracted to her, they are quickly separated when they land jobs in different departments.Meeting with a superior, he is informed that no clerical positions are available, subsequently taking a job as a messenger while awaiting a better position, gradually stripping him of his individuality. While on an errand for his job, he meets Antonietta again, now working as a typist. She invites him to a party, which he attends later in the evening. Arriving at the party alone, he befriends an older couple despite being depressed at the prospect of Antonietta not showing up. When an older woman asks him to dance, he reluctantly agrees after a few drinks, in which he finds himself enjoying, forgetting the sorrows of his job and Antonietta. Returning to work the following day, he is offered a recently vacated desk of an employee since departed (an aspiring writer, presumed to have killed himself). Before obtaining the seat, he is moved to the back in a dimly lit corner when the other employees complain of his relative youth in acquiring this 'prestigious' seat. As the film ends, Domenico has obtained this 'job for life', committing himself to the desperation of a banal career. The film, shot in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, is in part a satire on Italy's "economic miracle."
Cast
- Loredana Detto as Antonietta Masetti
- Tullio KezichTullio KezichTullio Kezich was an Italian film critic, screenwriter, playwright and actor.Kezich was born in Trieste...
as Psychologist - Sandro Panseri as Domenico Cantoni
- Mara Revel as Old Woman
Awards
Wins- British Film Institute AwardsBritish Film InstituteThe British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...
: Sutherland Trophy, Ermanno Olmi; 1961. - Venice Film FestivalVenice Film FestivalThe Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
: Italian Film Critics Award, Ermanno Olmi; 1961. - David di Donatello Awards: David, Best Director, Ermanno Olmi; 1962.