This father and son tale is about the apathy and low mood caused by overwork and isolation. A father is miserable at work while his son, still young, is optimistic about going to school. The son’s cheerful moods get more and more repressed as his miserable experiences at school continue to worsen: before long, he does not hug his father at the end of school and each character becomes more and more isolated in his own misery. The beautifully rendered expressive faces of the father and son depict the drudge and toil of work and school, which is resolved at the end of the film as the father and son reconnect with nature and music to return to a state of happiness. The film is an important way to consider the role of work and school in contemporary life, and should serve as a catalyst for themes such as active participation and citizenship. A simplistic reading of the film suggests that work and school are boring. A deeper reading of the film suggests that work and school should be innovative and fulfilling pursuits so that citizens can take their place in society.
