Project: small talk
Work: Short Film Fiction, 17’
Location: Zurich, CH
Date: 2025
Currently in distribution
If you are curious about the project or would like to receive a press kit, please get in touch.
EN:
‘small talk’ is a transmedia film project that explores the topics of closeness, exchange and loneliness. At its heart is a short film about a system that forces strangers to engage in dialogue in order to gain access to public life. In the midst of this, the friends Laya and Emil are confronted with the question of how honest conversations can be in such a system – and what really makes a deep relationship. A real dialogue chamber and short-form content on social media bring the story to life – in space, online, and in conversation.
DE:
«small talk» ist ein transmediales Filmprojekt, das die Themen Nähe, Austausch und Einsamkeit erkundet. Im Zentrum steht ein Kurzfilm über ein System, das Dialoge zwischen Fremden erzwingt, um Zugang zum öffentlichen Leben zu gewähren. Mittendrin sehen sich die Freunde Laya und Emil mit der Frage konfrontiert, wie ehrlich Gespräche in einem solchen System sein können – und was eine tiefe Beziehung wirklich ausmacht. Eine reale Dialogkammer und Short-Form-Content auf Social Media machen das Thema erlebbar – im Raum, im Netz, im Gespräch.
A film by Justus Briese & Zana Selimi
Directed & Developed by Justus Briese & Zana Selimi
Screenplay: Zana Selimi
Produced by: Zana Selimi & Justus Briese
Production Manager: Jimena Cugat
Produced by: ZHdK Zuercher Hochschule der Kuenste
in Co-Production with: SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen
Camera Department
Director of Photography: Line de Kaenel
1st Assistant Camera: Aline Bavier
Additional 1st AC: Liam Erlach
2nd Assistant Camera: Zoë Kraft
DIT: Salome Kaesemodel
Lighting & Grip
Gaffer: Pascal Kohler
Best Boy: Fabian Genucchi
Grip / Lighting Technician: Fabian Keller
Lighting Technician / Grip: Katja Stirnemann
Production Team
Set Production Assistant: David Brändlin
Crowd AD: Mara Turnheer
Art Department
Production Design: Julia Kraushaar, Selin Samci
Production Design Assistant: Jennifer Gerfin
Styling: Mariana Munoz
Styling Assistant: Anne Militzer
Hair & Make-up: Beatrice Grob
Sound Department
Set Sound: Pino Nessi
Sound Design: Andras Pupato
Dolby Atmos Mix: Martin Scheuter
Composition: Leonardo Cavalli
Post Production
Head of Editing: Loris Bosco
Editor: Justus Briese
Grading: Line de Kaenel & Cast
Flurina Schlegel as Laya
Tim Knieps as Emil
Julia Minuz as Nora
Sandra Moser as Lisbeth
Featured Extras
Jiyan Elci as Security
Dea Volic as Businesswoman
Hans Grüter as Dogdad
Selma Kopp as Woman in front of Bar
Boris Germann as Barkeeper
Eva Schneuwly as Woman at Bar
Extras
Saturday: Miranda Winter, Livia Briese
Sunday: Silvia Adiliberti, Laura Seric, Madeleine Grob, Noah Jarju, Franca Palmy, Naxhi Selimi, Barbara Bornhauser, Nina Zurkinden, Sandro Schmocker
Monday: Angelica Bühler, Clemens Schulze-Briese, Saskia Renée Loher, Jonatan Bischof
Catering
Yves Henz, Jules Henz, Amani Al-Jabaji, Zora Tanner
Graphics: Basil Knill
Work: Short Film Fiction, 17’
Location: Zurich, CH
Date: 2025
Currently in distribution
If you are curious about the project or would like to receive a press kit, please get in touch.
EN:
‘small talk’ is a transmedia film project that explores the topics of closeness, exchange and loneliness. At its heart is a short film about a system that forces strangers to engage in dialogue in order to gain access to public life. In the midst of this, the friends Laya and Emil are confronted with the question of how honest conversations can be in such a system – and what really makes a deep relationship. A real dialogue chamber and short-form content on social media bring the story to life – in space, online, and in conversation.
DE:
«small talk» ist ein transmediales Filmprojekt, das die Themen Nähe, Austausch und Einsamkeit erkundet. Im Zentrum steht ein Kurzfilm über ein System, das Dialoge zwischen Fremden erzwingt, um Zugang zum öffentlichen Leben zu gewähren. Mittendrin sehen sich die Freunde Laya und Emil mit der Frage konfrontiert, wie ehrlich Gespräche in einem solchen System sein können – und was eine tiefe Beziehung wirklich ausmacht. Eine reale Dialogkammer und Short-Form-Content auf Social Media machen das Thema erlebbar – im Raum, im Netz, im Gespräch.
A film by Justus Briese & Zana Selimi
Directed & Developed by Justus Briese & Zana Selimi
Screenplay: Zana Selimi
Produced by: Zana Selimi & Justus Briese
Production Manager: Jimena Cugat
Produced by: ZHdK Zuercher Hochschule der Kuenste
in Co-Production with: SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen
Camera Department
Director of Photography: Line de Kaenel
1st Assistant Camera: Aline Bavier
Additional 1st AC: Liam Erlach
2nd Assistant Camera: Zoë Kraft
DIT: Salome Kaesemodel
Lighting & Grip
Gaffer: Pascal Kohler
Best Boy: Fabian Genucchi
Grip / Lighting Technician: Fabian Keller
Lighting Technician / Grip: Katja Stirnemann
Production Team
Set Production Assistant: David Brändlin
Crowd AD: Mara Turnheer
Art Department
Production Design: Julia Kraushaar, Selin Samci
Production Design Assistant: Jennifer Gerfin
Styling: Mariana Munoz
Styling Assistant: Anne Militzer
Hair & Make-up: Beatrice Grob
Sound Department
Set Sound: Pino Nessi
Sound Design: Andras Pupato
Dolby Atmos Mix: Martin Scheuter
Composition: Leonardo Cavalli
Post Production
Head of Editing: Loris Bosco
Editor: Justus Briese
Grading: Line de Kaenel & Cast
Flurina Schlegel as Laya
Tim Knieps as Emil
Julia Minuz as Nora
Sandra Moser as Lisbeth
Featured Extras
Jiyan Elci as Security
Dea Volic as Businesswoman
Hans Grüter as Dogdad
Selma Kopp as Woman in front of Bar
Boris Germann as Barkeeper
Eva Schneuwly as Woman at Bar
Extras
Saturday: Miranda Winter, Livia Briese
Sunday: Silvia Adiliberti, Laura Seric, Madeleine Grob, Noah Jarju, Franca Palmy, Naxhi Selimi, Barbara Bornhauser, Nina Zurkinden, Sandro Schmocker
Monday: Angelica Bühler, Clemens Schulze-Briese, Saskia Renée Loher, Jonatan Bischof
Catering
Yves Henz, Jules Henz, Amani Al-Jabaji, Zora Tanner
Graphics: Basil Knill