In February, Shopping, the debut feature from writer/directors Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland, walked away with the Grand Prix prize at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) in the Generation 14Plus section.

With a NZ release date set for 30 May, we now get our first look at the award-winning feature, described by Berlinale judges as “a complex, painful and loving portrayal of family”, through this classy and emotion-filled trailer.

Set in 1981, Shopping focuses on two brothers, Willie and Solomon: After a chance encounter with charismatic thief Bennie and his close-knit gang of ‘Shoppers’, Willie is seduced into a criminal world that allows him to escape mounting tensions with his volatile father. Willie quickly finds himself in over his head; and when Solomon is left to fend for himself at home, the two worlds collide with shattering consequences.

Shot on the Kapiti Coast and in Wellington, the film stars Jacek Koman (Defiance, The Hunter) as Bennie and introduces Kevin Paulo as Willie and Julian Dennison as Solomon. Enjoy!

I’m really looking forward to this. I’m sure it won’t be an easy watch at times but the filmmakers seem to have struck a nice balance between hard-hitting drama and genuine warmth and hilarity. “Flying my fly” is one of the funniest trailer moments I’ve seen in a long time.

The two young leads have great screen presence – I reckon they’ll elicit a few tears from audience members come the final credits. And it will be interesting to see how the relationship between Willie and the young ‘Shopper’ girl (Laura Petersen) plays a part in the story.

I’m also loving the film’s visual aesthetic – definitely one to watch on the big screen.

As well as its success in Berlin, Shopping screened at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Will you be going Shopping on 30 May?

New Zealand, 1981: muscle cars, racial tensions and a thieving bird all inform the small town life of brothers Willie and Solomon. After a chance encounter with charismatic thief Bennie and his close-knit gang of ‘Shoppers’, Willie is seduced into a criminal world that allows him to escape mounting tensions with his volatile father. Willie quickly finds himself in over his head; and when Solomon is left to fend for himself at home, the two worlds collide with shattering consequences.

Directed by Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland, the film stars Jacek Koman, Alistair Browning, Kevin Paulo, Julian Dennison, Laura Petersen, Byron Coll, Matthias Luafutu and Richard Whiteside.