Sarah Rathgeb – Stray (direction)

Fiction / 17min
 

Synopsis

Joana (30) has just moved in with her boyfriend Timo and their dog Boris. It's an important step in a relationship, a life-changing step. In their new apartmentthey have everything they need: exept a matress. Joana decides to go out and buy one. Confronted with the choice of a new mattress, doubts arise. Joana is no longer sure what she really wants. She begins to have doubts about her decision, her relationship and the world around her. Moments later, she's sitting in the delivery truck with her dog and Antonio, the mattress salesman. Joana doesn't seem to be in a hurry to get home. As it turns out, Antonio doesn't seem to be in a hurry either. He also finds himself facing a major change in his life. His mattress shop is about to close and his future also seems to be full of doubts and uncertainties. Little by little, both of them realize the similarities of their situation. They both find themselves at a point in their lives where they don't know what to do. But if they don't know what to do or where they want to go, one thing unites them, following the dog's example, they will follow their instincts.

Student's statement

The universe depicted in the film is an absurd one that reveals how we can feel like strangers in the world we live in. We feel humankind’s constant plight, torn between hope and despair.

The characters run away from all their problems in their own way and avoid getting involved in other people’s problems. Existential crises are a central theme of our time. Nowadays, there is constant doubt about the possibility of establishing any meaningful relationship with the world around us.