Temporaries

Temporaries is a devastating social drama about a group of Guatemalan labourers who are repeatedly imported into a Canadian food factory without knowing their rights and working conditions, and are thus grossly exploited to the point of physical breakdown in a poorly thought-out and unjust system that eventually beats down everyone, including not only the suffering workers, but also their callous Canadian employers, who must meet quotas and are existentially dependent on cheap labour. The whole issue is seen from the perspective of a sympathetic interpreter who is the only one to see the workers as individuals, while also being aware of the other side’s problems, which makes the film powerfully empathetic without sliding into moralising judgments. The strong plot based on a topical and socially important issue further benefits from its gradual build-up of intensity and emotional conclusion. (07/17/2023)

57. KVIFF - To watch this movie, I had no idea that there is a place and environment in North America where a Western power exploits the inhabitants of poorer Latin American countries. What makes this fact even worse is that, despite this exploitation, Canada is actually dependent on these workers, otherwise they wouldn't have anything to eat. Incredibly relevant and important topic, one that I wish all Canadians would become aware of, but realistically, I think it will only be admired where the viewer doesn't actually do anything real about it. Ariane Castellanos' role was absolutely fantastic and the final scene of the film convinced me that even in these sad places, there is something we can call humanity. (07/03/2023)