Work to Do

Directed by Park Hong-jun (박홍준)

Written by Park Hong-jun (박홍준)

101min | Release date in South Korea: 2024

Synopsis
Joon-hee is a fourth-year associate manager at a small and medium-sized heavy industry company in the province. When he is transferred to the human resources department, Joon-hee is immediately tasked with creating a list of people to be laid off due to restructuring. Although he's simply performing the job he's been assigned, the more he engages in this work, the more he becomes humbled and ashamed of himself. "Work to Do" depicts how confrontation, antagonism, and distrust between the characters intensify amid the rumors of layoffs through concrete situations and gradual progression. The film also keenly observes the subtle and obvious differences between departments and tasks, positions and seniority, education and gender, and various situations and roles. It is evident that a great deal of effort was put into shaping this group of characters, and such intricate details would not have been possible without diligent research and study of the actual labor force. Actors' refined performance effectively conveys the inner turmoil of laborers in a simple yet convincing manner. JEONG Jihye

28th Busan International Film Festival

Source