The phrase (And we, like idiots, stood by and watched) serves as the biting title of the 2021 satirical film directed by Pierfrancesco Diliberto , better known as Pif . This title, originally inspired by a remark from the late author Andrea Camilleri , captures the essence of a modern society paralyzed by its own technological "progress".
The story follows (played by Fabio De Luigi), a manager who unknowingly develops the very algorithm that makes his own job obsolete. Overnight, he loses his career, his home, and his friends. Desperate, he becomes a bicycle courier for FUUBER , a massive tech conglomerate. The film highlights the irony of his situation: E noi come stronzi rimanemmo a guardare
According to Commissione Nazionale Valutazione Film , the title refers to our collective —the way we passively accept the invasion of technology into every facet of our lives, from labor rights to romantic intimacy. The phrase (And we, like idiots, stood by
: Unlike classic workplace satires where the boss is a person, Arturo’s oppressor is an unreachable, unquestionable algorithm. Why the Title Matters Overnight, he loses his career, his home, and his friends
: When his free trial expires, he must work grueling shifts just to afford the subscription to keep "seeing" her.
The film, which can be viewed on platforms like Netflix and Amazon , offers a sharp critique of the gig economy and the faceless power of algorithms.
: Arturo’s only comfort is Stella (Ilenia Pastorelli), a high-end hologram companion.