What if you discover that your boss is corrupt? You report him, of course. This is probably what most people would say. You are presented with a moral problem and you act, end of story.
But laudable ideals and reality are two different things, and such a situation can turn nasty in no time. Where there seems to be no moral dilemma at all, because all righteous people would think the same, most cases represent a serious personal dilemma as reporting on corruption at the workplace certainly carries a heavy price. This is what Italian filmmaker Marco Ferrari wants to tell us in his new documentary. He has rich material to draw upon in his home country, where corruption is almost a daily occurrence. We get to know that, in Italy, the damage of corruption amounts to a staggering 100 billion euro per year. In the last three years, 723 persons have reported acts of corruption and misuse of power and Ferrari has chosen to tell the story of a number of these courageous people.
These are not celebrity whistleblowers like Julian Assange and his Wikileaks. Their cases are local and their acts much more modest in scope, which only underscores the importance of the story Marco Ferrari has to tell. And he is a true master of storytelling.
Temptations
He has chosen seven whistleblowers. But early on he arrived at the conclusion that their stories are so similar, he made them into one collective story. We do not need the fine details of each and every case, because they more or less follow the same line, which makes the whole phenomenon all the more troubling and Ferrari’s story stronger.
The surroundings are neat and modern offices, populated with true professionals. But the corruption thrives under the sleek surface. One municipal employee – he is a garbage disposal consultant in an unidentified city – is invited to a discreet meeting with his boss and the city accountant at a fancy restaurant. The employee wonders a bit but turns up. The city is about to buy some new equipment and he is asked to approve the acquisition without issuing a tender. As a bonus, he is offered 50,000 euros.
laudable ideals and reality are two different things
Welcome to the system, is the title of the film’s chapter 1. The employee is tempted. He likes things to run smoothly, like a marble on velvet, he puts it. But he smells the danger as well. After lots of considerations, he turns to the police whose first reaction is disbelief. They seem to be part of the system as well but, little by little, the case starts rolling. The employee has clearly passed a point of no return.
You could report them or you could keep your mouth shut are among the many thoughts that turn your personal life upside down when you are confronted with this decision. Why do they offer you money? You are in doubt. It’s a bit like the victim that feels guilty for being robbed or stabbed. You get yourself in an absurd situation.
After reporting the case with the police you are under an oath of silence. You are not allowed to discuss the matter with anyone, and you are basically alone against a group of powerful people. In one case, the boss presents a complainant with a list of accusations – from sexual harassment of co-workers to selling stolen goods and illegal weapons. There are no limits, and the whistleblower lives in constant anxiety.
in Italy, the damage of corruption amounts to a staggering 100 billion euro per year.
At some point, one of the whistleblowers sits in his car at a red light. One car has cut him off in front, and another stops right behind him. He is sure, someone will come a beat him up. Frantically he grabs his cell phone and has a blackout: He can’t remember if an emergency call is 113 or 118, and in the meantime, both cars drift off. What looked like a close call turns out to be a false alarm.
Would do it again
The story unfolds at its own pace, and there is no hint of sensationalism. The offices are clean and large, everything is absolutely functional for the job, as is both the narrative and images of the film. Close to being minimalistic and thus the contrast to the unseen yet messy drama – the corruption and misconduct – becomes highly symbolic.
All of the whistleblowers come out the other end with a feeling of great satisfaction. A few are still in their old jobs, but with new bosses. Others have found new fields for their talent, and have become successful. All cases have ended with convictions, and only one whistleblower is unemployed. His name is Giambattista Scire, and he reported fixed hiring at a leading Italian university. His case ended in 3 convictions, and he looks content. Would he do it again, he is asked in the end. Yes, absolutely!
