Measure of Success (1987)

5:19 min.

This video presents a woman in silhouette, isolated and focused upon by both the speaker and by the viewer. She is being given a pep talk that is apparently meant to help her to perform her job in a more successful manner. However, as the tape progresses, it becomes clear that it is the intention of her “superior” to demean her performance and to manipulate information in such a way as to indicate that it is not he who is really displeased with her, but rather the “others”.

The woman as subject is dressed in a corporate style, which could reflect a junior executive role. Always seated and silent, she indicates some of her very controlled feeling through movement alone.

Written and directed by Cherie Moses. Co-produced by Cherie Moses and Coleen Finlayson.

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