A dissatisfied office worker in a grim Orwellian society chafes against the rut in which he’s stuck. He labors from an identical cubicle, wears the same type of suit and hat, repeatedly stamps the same boring paperwork and fears the same dour boss as all of his co-workers. Trudging home one night after work, he struggles against a stiff wind which blows a beautiful nature postcard into his hands…and blows the propaganda posters — “Work promotes confidence!” — off a large storefront window.
When the man looks into the window, he sees what he first thinks is his reflection. Then the reflection beckons to the startled man. The window peers into the nature scene from the postcard and a doorway opens invitingly. That’s when the man realizes he has a chance to escape his drab and oppressed reality for this beautiful utopia, if only he can overcome his fear of change.
Shot in a stark and gloomy black and white and set in a disturbingly chilling world — one expects the robot from “Metropolis” to pop up at any time — this memorable claymation from Victoria Livingstone serves as a brilliant cautionary tale. While perhaps most apt for real life corporate employees, but certainly applicable to everyone else as well, “Window” gently urges us all to take advantage of our opportunities when we can. A truly poignant and powerful film.
