Cashback (2004)

Ben is an art college student in London, whose imagination runs wild as he works the late-night shift at the local supermarket. What do he and his colleagues do to pass the long, endless hours of the night?

Director:

Sean Ellis

Writer:

Sean Ellis

Stars:

Sean Biggerstaff, Emilia Fox, Stuart Goodwin

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins.

Cast

Cast overview:
Sean Biggerstaff	...	Ben
Emilia Fox	...	Sharon
Stuart Goodwin	...	Jenkins
Michael Dixon	...	Barry
Michael Lambourne	...	Matt
Hatti Riemer	...	Old Lady
Frank Hesketh	...	Young Ben
Irene Bagach	...	Frozen Girl 1
Christine Fuller	...	Frozen Girl 2
Celesta Hodge	...	Deer Girl
Kinvara Balfour	...	Shampoo Girl 1
Cherie Nichole	...	Shampoo Girl 2 (as Cherie Nichole Bradley)
Hayley-Marie Coppin	...	Swedish Student
Daphne Guinness	...	Checkout Counter Woman

Storyline

Ben Willis is an art student who works the night shift several times a week at the Whitechapel Sainsbury's. He's clear about the arrangement: he trades his time for money - cashback, as he calls it. We meet his co-workers, Sharon, Barry, and Matt, and their supervisor, Jenkins. Ben's colleagues are good at wasting time, but Ben talks to us about how he makes his shift go faster: by imagining that time has stopped. We see this late-night world of drudgery through Ben's eyes, as time does indeed stop, and he can get out his sketch book.

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Plot Keywords:

nipples | nudity | breasts | female rear nudity | female nudity | 

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Taglines:

You give 8 hours...They give you money.

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Genres:

Short | Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 October 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Visszajáró pénz

Filming Locations:

Sainsbury's, Whitechapel, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

£30,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Left Turn Films,Ugly Duckling Films,RSA Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

18 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There was no CGI used in the short and all the effects are in camera effects.

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Connections

Version of Cashback (2006)

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Soundtracks

Sonata in C-Sharp Minor. Op. 27, NO.2 (Moonlight Sonata)
Written by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Wayne Wilkins

User Reviews

A clever short with a unique atmosphere

Sainsburys, the night shift, nothing could be more dull. What could be worse than a movie about this seemingly mindnumbingly boring activity. However, from the very first moment, the movie grabs your attention and puts you in the shoes of Ben.

The shots are done with style and panache and particularly effective is the use of the bleak, artificial supermarket lighting which throws this whole surreal, sleepless world into perspective. Also effective is the portrayal of the nude women who are almost alien in their stillness and with their flawless features. Sean Biggerstaff is a real asset to the film as his flawless acting and his narration especially complement the film to a great extent. The comedy elements coupled with the creation of a unique atmosphere make this film what it is. However, the imagination and the simple fact that so many ideas are crammed into the fifteen or so minutes of this short really make this film incredible.