The Call

A courtroom in Milan is filled with people brought together by random selection. Long interviews lie ahead. Based on the interviews, some of them will be chosen for jury duty. However, The Call doesn’t focus on judicial proceedings, but rather considers people’s sense of justice through the conversations in the waiting room. The power of the judges is only shared with the laity in serious crimes like murder or terrorism. Many fear the mafia’s revenge, despite the judge’s attempt to dispel these suspicions. The opportunity to be of service to their country’s legal system is both an honour and a burden. The process of choosing the jury takes all day, which for some means time away from work or sick family members. For those who do not see time as an obstacle, the process offers a place to exchange some juicy gossip and rehash old criminal cases. Even though there is a strong belief in the judicial system, the role of ordinary citizens in it causes debate. Some think that the task might be suitable for the unemployed, while others believe that only robots can be objective.
Emilia Koivumäki (Translation: Ulrika Sundelin) (DocPoint)