Shoppen

Eighteen people take part in the method known as speed dating: nine women, nine men. Each pair talks for a few minutes, a bell rings, places change. The film takes place almost entirely at these tables. What gets discussed is allergies, coffee, buses, clothing brands; that is, everything except what anyone actually wants to say. Ralf Westhoff's low budget film is built in a single location and largely out of dialogue. Most of the actors were unknown at the time. The comedy comes from people feeling they have to sell themselves: everyone talks like a product and knows it. The film found unexpected interest in Germany and was cited as an example of what small productions can do.