Bakir Shawky

Benauwd (English title "Cramped") is a short psychological drama/crime film about Marlon, a 20 year old from Rotterdam, who is being threatened because of illegal gambling debts. When it's clear that Marlon cannot pay back the debts, he gets in deeper trouble.

The friendship between two hooligans is showing cracks as one still thrives on the violent world, while the other tries to escape its empty existence. Raoul thrives on the chaos of the hooligan life, while Anouar searches for a way out of the violence and emptiness. This debut film shows how their friendship is tested when Anouar distances himself, afraid to face his true feelings. Raoul refuses to let go. For him, riled up and high on drugs, instilling fear is the way to command respect. His buddy Anouar, however, is increasingly fed up with the world rife with violence and toxic masculinity.

John struggles to adjust to life in a new city. Despite help from his friend Dylan, who encourages him to be more social, John remains reserved. His noisy, quarreling neighbors push him to confront them, leading to an honest conversation with his neighbor Hannah. This interaction challenges both, prompting John to slowly embrace the process of finding connection and harmony in his new life.