In December 2003, the German government passed the “Agenda 2010” package of reforms.
The media all report on these reforms in great detail. They represent the largest cut into the welfare state since the foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany. The film follows five people who, for one reason or another, find themselves on the edge of society. With no commentary, the viewer experiences the mood of a changing society directly. The hopes, dreams and disappointments, not to mention the rage, of the protagonists are palpable. The images convey the abstract logic of the system, its supposed practical constraints and its repercussions for individuals. The power of the images, coupled with the strength of the protagonists, grippingly demonstrate the consequences of a change in political values.