Heike (Sabine Thalau) is a site manager for a cleaning company. She acts as a liaison between clients, cleaning staff and company bosses. Her attempt to poach an employee from a subcontractor fails. As a result, she is forced to downsize her own team – all of whom are migrants or older people. If a member of staff is absent, Heike is forced to cover for them herself. 

Killian Armando Friedrich’s film plunges viewers into a world that is often overlooked and socially stigmatised. Cleaning? Who would stoop to that? The camera sticks uncomfortably close to people whose solidarity with one another is repeatedly and systematically undermined. There is only room for personal interaction here until the boss looks over and urges them to get back to work. Clock off quickly after the shift. You help a colleague with this. Her German isn’t good enough. Heike and a colleague take work equipment home with them. She, too, has to watch her step. Nobody here earns enough. Anyone who wants to strike for better working conditions is letting the team down. Solidarity is a rare commodity in capitalism – especially in the low-wage sector. 

“I Understand Your Frustration” paints a picture of workers who, caught between the oppressive structures of the system, can barely muster the strength to help themselves or others. A film that invites you to feel and leaves you feeling drained. (Dennis Yildiz, CINEMATE) 

„Ein nie abreißender Sog“ – Die Zeit 

In cooperation with Crossing Europe and Stadtkino Filmverleih

Rahmenprogramm 21. Mai:
A discussion following the film with lead actress Sabine Thalau, producer Rafael Kousz, co-writer Daniel Kunz and cinematographer Louis Dickhaut.

Das Gespräch wird live ins KIZ RoyalKino Graz und Leokino Innsbruck übertragen!

Rahmenprogramm 23. Mai:
A discussion following the film with lead actress Sabine Thalau and co-writer Daniel Kunz

Funded by the cultural budget of the Neubau district