Chicago-Area Provides Backdrop For New Independent Film
WDCB’s Gary Zidek talks to filmmaker Robert Jury about his new Chicago-set movie, WORKING MAN.
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“Now, ten years later, the movie is probably more relevant than when I first wrote it, when we’re dealing with so many folks, millions and millions of people suddenly dealing with unemployment. To me, it’s a story and film that’s meeting the moment.” - Filmmaker Robert Jury talking about how the WORKING MAN script he started over ten years ago is incredibly relevant right now.
Filmmaker Robert Jury
A new independent film with ties to Chicago is premiering on video on-demand platforms this week. WORKING MAN follows a longtime factory worker who’s life takes an unwanted turn when the plastics manufacturer he works for makes a cost-cutting decision. The film is set in an anonymous rust-belt town that looks like any number of communities in the Midwest. But WORKING MAN was actually shot in the Chicago metro area, at several locations throughout the region.
Filmmaker Robert Jury began writing the script during the last recession. Over a decade later, the story elements that deal with the loss of employment feel especially relevant in our current moment of uncertainty.
Peter Gerety as Allery the working man at the center of the new film WORKING MAN
The film stars Peter Gerety (Allery) and Talia Shire (Iola) as an older married couple who are still dealing with the loss of their adult son.
Talia Shire as Iola and Peter Gerety as Allery in a scene from WORKING MAN
“Anyone who watches WORKING MAN now, I think they’re going to identify with it in a way maybe they wouldn’t have before the coronavirus, when everyone was gainfully employed. The message is going to hit home with a lot of folks.” - Robert Jury talking about his hopes for audiences will respond to his new movie.
Billy Brown (Walter) opening the factory’s gate for employees eager to get back to work in WORKING MAN
