It begins with William S. Burrough’s subtle quote “after one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say ‘I want to see the manager.’” Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy. Hannes Lang and Mareike Wegener’s documentary assesses the international situational in seven interwoven episodes that span across India, China, Bolivia, Thailand, Venezuala, Italy and the US. Interviews with normal people talking about their longing for wealth and progress serve as an indicator for the different economic progress in each country.

The film’s thesis is summarized by an Indian businessman at the very start when he predicts an oncoming economic rise in the newly industrialized countries and the accompanied loss of importance of the old industrial countries. While he speaks, the camera slowly pans to the tattered slum houses in the inner-city skyline that looms in the background.

Carefully structured images such as this shape the strong aesthetic of the documentary. The interviewees are situated at the center while landscapes and rooms are missing from view. The film follows a state car lottery in Peking wherein around 1% of the participants receive a permit to buy a car, or a man who owns a cryonics firm that allows rich people to freeze themselves in order to hopefully profit from future medical advances. I WANT TO SEE THE MANAGER’s many voices and broad narrative makes one reflect without concealing the complexity of the topic at hand.

Christian Horn

Translation: Elinor Lewy