On Falling

+ Q&A with director Laura Carreira and producer Jack Thomas-O’Brien

This hypnotic study of an online warehouse worker is one of the best debut features of the year.

  • Director

    Laura Carreira

  • With

    Joana Santos

  • UK-Portugal 2024. 104min

  • Digital

  • Certificate

    TBC

  • A Conic release

The impressive directorial feature debut of Laura Carreira is a powerful account of the gig economy and the loneliness of working-class immigrants caught up in it. Portuguese worker Aurora is employed by a Scottish fulfilment warehouse, endlessly pacing down aisles and pulling items from shelves to be shipped out to online shoppers. While her shifts are long and her productivity is constantly monitored, her wages are minimal and she can barely afford to eat. Her gruelling days are punctuated by a few precious moments of connection, especially when her busy lodgings welcomes a new Polish flatmate. Carreira’s skilfully directed and heartbreaking portrait of an isolated woman on the cusp of unravelling is gripping. With shades of Chantal Ackerman’s Jeanne Dielman and the indelible spirit of Ken Loach, On Falling is a rage against the capitalist machine, and a very worthy winner of the Sutherland Award for Best First Feature at the 2024 BFI London Film Festival.

Kimberley Sheehan, Lead Programmer

Audio Description is available at this screening.

See other screenings of On Falling.