Jason Chopping (1998)

Richard Billingham

A boy and girl seem to be preparing for a big night. They are out of shot save for his hand which rhythmically chops a white powdered substance in time to the strong beats of 1998 Eurodance tune Feel It. We don’t know if they are using or performing for the camera. The film ends with a brief exchange and laughter between the two young people.

The Billinghams grew up in poverty after their dad lost his factory job and began to drink heavily. Richard’s short films feature family and friends hanging out and finding ways to kill time.

Research at King’s College London asks: does heightened impulsiveness in response to boredom partly stem from people’s attempts to deal with meaninglessness when bored?