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FILMMAKERS

Director And Writer Damjan KozoleProducer Danijel HočevarDirector Of Photography Aleš BelakComposer Igor LeonardiEditor Jure MoškonSound by Boštjan Kačičnik Damijan Kunej Marjan CimpermanProduction Designer Urša LobodaCostume Designer Emil CerarMake Up Artist Mojca GorograncProduction Manager Andrej Štritof

ACTORS

Peter Peter MusevskiVera Nataša Barbara GračnerInes Marjuta SlamičTomo Primož PetkovšekNeighbour Marija Manca DorrerLady at Employment Service Marijana BreceljDaughter Sonja Lara DjuricaVinko Jernej KuntnerFriend Janez Andrej NahtigalPsychiatrist Uroš FürstNeighbour Marija’s Girlfriend Alida BevkFriend Roman Lotos ŠparovecThe Neighbour Demeter BitencBeaten Girl Irena Duša

Produced by EMOTIONFILMand RTV SLOVENIJA Cultural And Arts Programme Editor-in-Chief Jani VirkProducer Tanja Prinčič Co-produced By VERTIGO in collaboration with E-FILMwith the financial support of : AUDIO-VISUAL FUND OF THE MINISTY OF CULTURE, SLOVENIAN FILM FUND

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Film Negative S 16 mm / 35 mmScreen Ratio 1 : 1.85Duration 71 minutesLength 1950 meters In colourFilm Laboratories TV Slovenia Hungarian Film Laboratories Sound System Dolby SRSound Mixing Studio VPK E-Mail info@emotionfilm.si Web Pages www.emotionfilm.si/delo

CONTACT ADDRESS:

EMOTIONFILMKersnikova 4,SI – 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Tel.: +386 1 439 7080, 434 9357Fax: + 386 1 430 3530E-mail: info@emotionfilm.si www.emotionfilm.si/delo

LABOUR EQUALS FREEDOMTAGLINE

With Slovenia’s integration into the European Union, the main character of the film, Peter, loses his job, which, consequently, triggers many problems.

SYNOPSIS

The main hero, Peter, is in his early forties. He’s a machine operator by profession. Until recently, he worked in a factory, but after Slov-enia’s integration into the European Union, the factory closed down and Peter and his colleagues were made redundant. Peter’s wife is very supportive and their family life appears to be quite satisfactory. Peter is paying regular visits to the Employment Service and is trying to find another job wherever he can, but all his efforts are in vain. Slowly but surely, he is loosing self-confidence and self-esteem. He becomes suspicious of his wife, Vera, and thinks that she might be cheating on him. When it almost seems that all Peter’s fears and sus-picions are only in his head, it turns out that Vera is actually seeing another man. Peter demands a divorce immediately, and Vera agrees. Almost overnight Peter is left alone as Vera moves out and takes Sonja their daughter with her. In a moment of despair, Peter decides to hang himself. He takes a rope and when the rope is tightening around his neck the doorbell rings. By mere coincidence a neighbour, who just wanted to borrow some coffee, saves his life. Peter ends up in a psychiatric ward. After this episode, his pointless life goes on - his everyday visits to the Employment Service become a routine, he frequents a local bar for a beer and a chat with his friends. One day on his way home he finds all his neighbours scared and worried in front of the house. He learns that gas has been leaking in the cellar. Fire-fighters should have arrived already, but they got stuck in a traffic jam. There is a real danger of explosion. Peter does not hesitate; he runs into the building and manages to shut down the main valve, although he almost suffocates. His neighbours are cheering him when he comes out of the building, they are happy and relieved, and the house manager offers him a job of a caretaker.

Peter is more than happy. His self-esteem rises and -through a lonely hearts ad- he soon meets a young woman from Primorska (the coastal area). On their first date, they make a trip to Lake Bled. At the end of the day, they agree to see each other again next Sunday...

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

The film speaks of the fears that grow inside us, the fear of losing financial or social security, and the fear of losing our loved ones. It shows how the protagonist first loses every hope then regains it through the course of events.

LabourEqualsFreedomis a tragi-comedy in which despair intertwines with humour, and in which optimism eventually defeats pessimism and dark feelings of despair.

Damjan Kozole

DAMJAN KOZOLEWRITER AND DIRECTOR

Born in 1964 in Brežice, Slovenia, grew up in Krško. Presently lives and works in Ljubljana.

He made his first feature film at the age of 22, the low budget TheFatalTelephone, which was one of the first independent films made in former Yugoslavia. His fifth feature film SpareParts premiered in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival, and was success-fully shown at more than fifty international film festivals, where it won many international awards. Peter Bradshaw, reviewer of an UK newspaper Guardian characterised film as “one of the most powerfull and provocative films of the year”.

In 2004 Kozole collaborated with 24 important European film directors (Aki Kaurismaeki, Peter Greenaway, Bela Tarr, Fatih Akin, among others) in an pan-European episode film VisionsofEurope, produced by Arte and Zentropa.

LabourEqualsFreedom, planned first as a TV feature, is his 6th feature film.

Currently he is preparing a feature co-production entitled TheDarkSideoftheEarth, the shooting of which is anticipated in 2006.

Damjan Kozole is one of the most distinguished Slovenian film directors.

Filmography (only feature films):TheFatalTelephone (1987)Remington (1988)Stereotype (1997)PornFilm (2000)SpareParts (2003)VisionsofEurope (2004), Slovenian episode, short feature, entitled Europe (5 min) of a feature length episode film : 25 european directors, 25 visions, 1 film.LabourEqualsFreedom (2005)

PETER MUSEVSKIPETER

Born in 1965 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Peter Musevski is the most renowned and recognized Slovenian film actor. Film and theatre actor, he graduated from the Academy for theatre, radio, film and television (AGRFT) in Ljubljana. He’s been engaged at different Slovenian theatres, now he works at Prešeren Theatre in Kranj. His most recent theatre main role is in the performance of King Oedipus.Feature films (selection): Express,express (dir. Igor Šterk, 1997), Stereotype(dir. Damjan Kozole, 1997), BreadandMilk (dir. Jan Cvitkovič, Venice IFF – Lion of the Future Award, 2001), SpareParts (dir. D. Kozole, Berlinale Competition, 2003), Suburbs (dir. Vinko Moederndorfer, Venice Days and Montreal Competition, 2004), Tuning(dir. Igor Šterk, Karlovy Vary IFF Competition, 2005), LabourEqualsFreedom.

For his role in BreadandMilk (2001) he received three BestActorAwards: at the FestivalofSlovenianFilmsin Portorož 2001, at BratislavaInternationalFilmFestival 2001 and at ValenciaFilmFestival 2002.For his role in SpareParts (2003) he received BestActorAward at the FestivalofSlovenianFilms in Celje 2003.

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NATAŠA BARBARA GRACNERVERA

Born in 1969 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Theatre and film actress, graduated from the Academy for theatre, radio, film and television (AGRFT) in Ljubljana. She’s been engaged at different Slovenian theatres, now she works at the Slovenian National Theatre in Ljubljana. One of the most acclaimed Slovenian theatre and film actresses. She performed in more then 50 theatre performances.Feature films (selection): GrandmagoesSouth (d. V. V. Anžlovar, 1991), Carmen (d. Metod Pevec, 1995), Herzog(d. Mitja Milavec, 1996), TriptihAgateSchwarzkobler (TV feature, d. Matjaž Klopčič, 1997), HopSkip&Jump (short feature, d. Srdjan Vuletić, 2000), Dr.FrancePrešeren (feature film and TV serial, d. Franci Slak, 2000), LabourEqualsFreedom.For her role in Carmen she received two BestActressAwards: at the FestivalofSlovenianFilms in Portorož 1995 and atValenciaFilmFestival 1996.

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MARJUTA SLAMICINES

Born in 1974 in Postojna, Slovenia.She graduated from Guildford School of Acting in London. Now, she’s regularly engaged at the Slovenian National Theatre in Nova Gorica. The role of Ines in LabourEqualsFreedomis her first important film role.

PRIMOŽ PETKOVŠEK – PETKOTOMO

Born in 1963 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He played around 15 memorable leading and supporting roles in Slovene feature films of the last few years: Carmen (d. Metod Pevec, 1996), Stereotype (d. D. Kozole, 1997), Outsider (d. Andrej Košak, 1997), PornoFilm (d. Damjan Kozole, 2000), Poker (d. Vinci Vogue Anžlovar, 2000), OdetothePoet (d. Martin Srebotnjak, 2001), NoMan’sLand (d. Danis Tanović, 2001), Headnoise (d. A. Košak, 2002), SpareParts (d. D. Kozole, 2003), BeneathherWin-dow (Metod Pevec, 2003), SummerinaGoldenValley (d. Srdjan Vuletić, 2003), LabourEqualsFreedom.Awarded StopMagazine’sPromisingActoroftheYearfor his role of John in PornoFilm (The 3rd Slovene Film Festival, Portorož 2000).He’s also acted in theatre and appeared in several commercials.

MANCA DORRERNEIGHBOUR

Born in 1975 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. She appeared in many Slovenian films, TV serials, theatre performances, video clips… In 2003 / 04 she attended acting at the European Film College in Ebelthof, Denmark.Films (selection): Dr.FrancePrešeren (feature film and TV serial, d. Franci Slak, 2000), Vladimir (TV feature, d. Zoran Živulović, 2002), Ljubljana (d. Igor Šterk, 2002), BlindSpot (d. Hanna A. W. Slak, 2003), DesperadoTonic (feature episode film, d. B. Petković, V. Močnik, H. Slak, Z. živulović, 2004) LabourEqualsFreedom.For her role in Blind Spot she received BestActressAward at the ThessalonikiInternationalFilmFestival(2003).

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ALEŠ BELAKDIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Born in 1967 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He works as a director of photography, second unit cameraman, camera operator, steadycam operator, camera assistant. As a camera person, working for TV Slovenia and as free-lancer for different Slovenian and foreign productions, he contributed at many feature films, documentaries and shorts.Selected filmography: HowIKilledaSaint (d. Teona S. Mitevska, 2004, second camera), TheRuins (d. Janez Burger, 2004, camera-man / camera operator), VisionsofEurope (Slovenian episode, d. Damjan Kozole, 2004, short, DoP), LabourEqualsFreedom (DoP), FromGravetoGrave (d. Jan Cvitkovič, 2005, cameraman / camera operator / steadicam operator), Tuning (d. igor Šterk, 2005, cam-eraman / camera operator)…

IGOR LEONARDICOMPOSER

Born in 1958 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Studied jazz and classical guitar at the Music Academy in Graz, Austria. Travelled throughout Asia and Africa, learning many musical instruments: Indian and Arabian lute, oud, saz, gaita, kora harp... Co-founder and member of music bands Quatebriga, Begnagrad, MiladojkaYouneed, and now FakeOrchestra. During the years 1989 to 1999 he worked in the USA as a studio musician, co-operated with DonCherry and heavy metal band Metallica, and was engaged as a specialist for world music in Oakland, California. He wrote the music for around 40 plays, directed by Slovenian theatre director Vito Taufer and for 3 films, directed by Damjan Kozole: SpareParts (feature, 2003), and Europe (short, 2004) and LabourEqualsFreedom (feature).

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DANIJEL HOCEVARPRODUCER

Born in 1965 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. In 1986 he established Emotionfilm, together with Damjan Ko-zole, as the first independent film production company in Slov-enia and among first in former Yugoslavia. He has been selected among Variety’s “Ten Producers To Watch” in 2001 and is a member of European Film Academy.

EMOTIONFILM FILMS

Emotionfilm produced 23full-lengthfilms (19 features, 1 ani-mated and 3 documentaries) and more than 20 short films and 1 TV serial (15 x 25 minutes sit-com).

Their credits as production or co-production company include: 2005 – LABOUR EQUALS FREEDOM(Deloosvobaja) by Damjan KozoleSlovenian feature filmInternational premiere at Locarno IFF 2005www.emotionfilm.si/delo

2004 – THE RUINS (Ruševine) by Janez Burger Slovenian feature film Best Film, Best Director, Audience Award, Festival of Slovenian Films 2004International Premiere at Rotterdam IFF 2005Special Jury Award at Lecce FF 2005www.emotionfilm.si/rusevine

2004 – SUBURBS(Predmestje) by Vinko MöderndorferSlovenian feature film (minor co-producers)Competition at Montreal World Film Festival 2004Venice Days section at Venice International FF 2004Special Jury Award at Annonay FF 2004www.predmestje.org

2004 – HOW I KILLED A SAINT by Teona Strugar Mitevska Macedonian – Slovenian – French feature film Tiger Competition at the Rotterdam IFF 2004Grand Prix at Crossing Europe FF 2004 in Linz, AustriaBest Actor Award at the Sarajevo FF 2004www.sistersandbrothermitevski.com

2004 – DESPERADO TONICby Boris Petković, Varja Močnik, Hanna A. W. Slak and Zoran ŽivulovićSlovenian festure film www.emotionfilm.si/desperado

2004 – RED COLOURED GREY TRUCK by Srdjan Koljević Serbian – Slovenian – German feature film Audience Awards at Mannheim Heidelberg IFF 2004, at Cinema Mediteraneen Montpellier 2004 and at Trieste FF 2005Hessen Film Award 2004Special Jury Award at Sofia Film Festival 2005Theatrical release in Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Montenegrowww.emotionfilm.si/sivikamion

2003 –BENEATH HER WINDOW (Podnjenimoknom)by Metod Pevec Slovenian feature film Official Selection, Out of Competition at the Karlovy Vary IFF 20048 awards and more than 30 festival presentationsTheatrical release in Switzerlandwww.emotionfilm.si/pno

2003 –SPARE PARTS (Rezervnideli) by Damjan Kozole Slovenian feature filmOfficial Selection, Competition at Berlin IFF 200310 awards and more than 50 festival presentationsTheatrical release in 12 European countrieswww.emotionfilm.si/rd

2001 – BREAD AND MILK (Kruhinmleko) by Jan Cvitkovič Slovenian feature filmPremiered at Venice IFF 2001 – “Lion of the Future – Best First Feature Film Award”10 awards and more than 50 festival presentationswww.emotionfilm.si/kruh

2000 – LONERSby David Ondriček Czech – Slovenian feature filmPremiered at Toronto IFF 2000Awarded with “Special Award of the Jury” and “Fipresci Award” at Mannheim – Heidelberg IFF 2000 and with “Audience Award” at Thessaloniki IFF 2000 Presented on more than 30 international film festivalsCzech box office hit with more than 600.000 admissionswww.samotari.cz

2000 – PORNO FILM by Damjan Kozole Slovenian feature filmPresented at Karlovy Vary IFF 200010 awards and more than 50 festival presentationsSlovenian box office hit with more than 60.000 admissionswww.emotionfilm.si/pornofilm

1999 –IDLE RUNNING (Vleru) by Janez Burger Slovenian feature filmOfficial Selection, Competition at Karlovy Vary IFF 199920 awards and more than 50 festival presentationsSlovenian box office hit with more than 60.000 admissions

Currently there are 3 feature films in different stage of production:

BORDER POSTby Rajko Grlić Croatian – Slovenian – Macedonian – Bosnian – Serbian – Austrian – UK co-productionShooting commenced July 2005

ESTRELITAby Metod PevecSlovenian feature filmProject development supported by Media Plus and Slovenian Film FundShooting start: December 2005

THE DARK SIDE OF THE EARTHby Damjan KozoleSlovenian – Bosnian – Austrian – UK co-production Project development supported by Media Plus Development, Slovenian Film Fund and South East European Cinema Network Shooting start: Spring 2006. Awarded at Sarajevo Film Festival co-production market Cinelink in 2004 as the best developed project

Even more projects are in script-writing phases.