Film 2: Inbox

The fact that the woman checks her computer - presumably some sort of social software - and finds no messages sets the tone for this short film. We start with the feeling that she is socially isolated. The exchanges through the two bags lead to a connection but it is a very attenuated form of connection with post it notes, smiley faces and card games. This reminds us of the sort of surface interactions that can occur on-line. The relationship moves to a different level when the man asks the one if she would like to meet him. Then the technology fails. The man is left distraught because he has no way to communicate with the woman. He rushes out of the house and they meet serendipitously in the real world. The nature of the exchange is redolent of their on-line exchanges and we might interpret this in terms of a loss of social skills. This interpretation is reinforced by the opening of the film where the various shoppers have the opportunity to interact in the real world. However, they fail to do so.