Shopping (2013 film)

Shopping is a 2013 New Zealand crime drama film directed by Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland. It is set in 1981 and focuses on the life of a teenager, Willie, living in a low-income suburb. Willie is drawn into the world of petty crime and shoplifting by his charismatic and manipulative neighbor, Bennie. The film explores themes of poverty, family dysfunction, the allure of consumerism, and the search for belonging in a society with limited opportunities. “Shopping” in the title refers to the act of shoplifting and its implications for the characters' lives and moral choices. The film received critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of New Zealand's underclass and its strong performances. It was selected to compete in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.