ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXDoes anyone remember/ know this short film?
5 years, 4 months ago - Rhys Edwards
I'm trying to remember a short film that I once saw. I wonder if anyone can tell me what it was. Basically, of what I remember, it goes like this...
A fisherman (?) is going about his business in an idyllic looking location. He's approached by a businessman (?) type person who looks like he's been succesful at life. The businessman spots that the fisherman has the beginnings of a good business. The businessman asks the fisherman why doesn't he work harder, buy another boat, employ more people, make more money?
The fisherman asks... 'Why would I want to do that?' The businessman says 'Because you would make more money, which would mean you could work less, and spend more time with your friends and family.' The fisherman says 'That's exactly what I'm doing now, and why I'm not doing that.'
I seem to remember that there are lots of different version of this story, all in different languages and settings. Can anyone help please?
Thanks
rhys.
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5 years, 3 months ago - Alwyne Kennedy
I heard a variation around 40 years back, told to me by my brother. People living on a tropical island fish for a few hours then laze around or play on the beach the rest of the day. Along comes western industry - the fishermen get factory jobs and work 10-hour shifts all year long, hoping to earn enough money to take a week's holiday on a beach once a year.
Response from 5 years, 3 months ago - Alwyne Kennedy SHOW
5 years, 3 months ago - Rhys Edwards
That sounds like the right story Alwyne. Thanks. Does anybody know where I can find the short film? I remember that it was quite modern, well shot, large sensor, with a steadicam type rig...
As I said, I think there's lots of versions...
Response from 5 years, 3 months ago - Rhys Edwards SHOW
5 years, 3 months ago - Dominic Stinton
Hi Rhys, the story you describe is "Anecdote concerning the Lowering of Productivity" (German: Anekdote zur Senkung der Arbeitsmoral) by Heinrich Böll.
There's an english translation of Böll's story, with notes on the translation here:https://www.uni-hildesheim.de/media/_migrated/content_uploads/Translating_Heinrich_Boell.pdf
From your description, the short film you're looking for might be this one:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0432248/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_3
Or you might have seen another film which didn't credit Böll and had a different title, which would be hard to search for.
Hope that helps! Dom
Response from 5 years, 3 months ago - Dominic Stinton SHOW
5 years, 3 months ago - Dominic Stinton
The links again
https://www.uni-hildesheim.de/media/_migrated/content_uploads/Translating_Heinrich_Boell.pdf
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0432248/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Response from 5 years, 3 months ago - Dominic Stinton SHOW
5 years, 3 months ago - Uli Meyer
Great story and very Heinrich Böll. The link to the IMDb listing is for a film from 2004 which means it couldn't have been shot on a large sensor. It was probably shot on film. Just a thought.
Response from 5 years, 3 months ago - Uli Meyer SHOW
5 years, 3 months ago - Rhys Edwards
Thanks Dominic and Uli. That's the same story but I don't think it's the film I was trying to remember. I wonder if there's a Spanish version. Anyone?
Response from 5 years, 3 months ago - Rhys Edwards SHOW
5 years, 3 months ago - Rhys Edwards
Great work by the way Dominic!
Response from 5 years, 3 months ago - Rhys Edwards SHOW