Le Poids de la neige

Snow covers the Japanese island of Hokkaido. At the Asari Classe hotel, all has to be tiptop for the stressed-out guests who come to relax in the famous spa waters. The diction and phrasing of greetings, along with the angle of bowing, are rehearsed in detail. The staff are themselves overworked and under pressure. they comment on the management’s appreciations, wonder what to do with some shady-looking holidaymakers who might well be yakuzas (mafia), joke about the guests’ behaviour, or talk about work and retirement. The manager keeps a relentless eye on the profitability, from electrical installations to human beings. At the staff meal, the president of the hotel group talks of profit, outlooks and cash flow, before the karaoke and group games of very doubtful taste, intended to “bring everyone closer”.