Although the story has a certain ironic detachment, for me it is very personal: for a long time, I struggled with the feeling of living so intensely in my own head that I felt disconnected from other people and unable to form a connection with them. I notice this in other people as well. The main character of the film embodies what happens when you get stuck in your own mind and projections. Through this film, I aim to evoke the viewer’s identification with the protagonist via a situation familiar to many — the discomfort and insecurity of a date, getting to know someone new, and the awkward feelings that come with it.

The choice to tell this story in the romantic comedy genre was dictated not only by the fact that the protagonist sees the world in a distorted and romanticized way, but also by my personal fondness for the genre. Norwegian director Joachim Trier once called one of his films an “existential romantic comedy,” and in my opinion, he was right in suggesting that the romantic comedy is a genre especially well-suited to exploring self-understanding and acceptance. Through the protagonist’s active search for connection — romantic and otherwise — they are able to reflect on themselves and see themselves anew through the eyes of others, which allows for the acceptance of different parts of themselves. The gently comedic tone is also particularly close to my heart and a charming way to draw the viewer into the world of the film.