A sex surrogate is a type of sex worker who teaches costumers how to be intimate; a profession that lies between physical and emotional therapy. We are introduced to Ronah as she first treats men with her words and later moves on to physical contact with the use of her body. Rona is single and strangely detached from the world and the creeping feeling sets in that her job as a surrogate partner is her main source of social contact. The New York Ronah lives in is presented in washed-out colors and is consistently haziness – not a place of promise but one of loss of control. The lines between Ronah’s independence and loneliness are increasingly blurred which is reflected in the inhospitable and eerie Manhattan setting. Her life becomes unhinged when a business relationship bleeds into her personal life.

The micro-budgeted film funded by Kickstarter premiered at the Berlinale Forum and is definitely worth seeing. Cinematographer Zachary Galler’s precise camera work does without effects and has some documentary-like leanings, building a threatening mood which mirrors the unusual story of the two striking protagonists. Brooke Bloom and Marc Menchaca give discerning, restrained performances and after this brilliant debut it is clear that Anja Marquardt is a director to watch out for!

Toby Ashraf

Translation: Elinor Lewy