Helaas ben je het niet geworden

How do you think it went? It’s the sort of question you might expect during an employee evaluation, but 18-year-old Sofie is being asked this question when all she wants is a place to live. She’s trying to find a room to rent in Amsterdam, where she studies—but that’s hard work in an overheated housing market.

There’s even a special Dutch word for this housing interview process: hospiteren. It comes down to speed-dating with your potential housemates and doing your best to shine so you'll be selected. We accompany Sofie—and feel for her—as she visits student accommodations for introductory sessions, drinks and assessments. Will Sofie manage to make a good impression, while also remaining herself?

Sofie’s experiences will be familiar to anyone who’s ever struggled with the nerve-wracking process of judging and being judged while chasing a scarce commodity—whether that’s a place to live, a prestigious study or love. It all raises questions about our society, which is increasingly fueled by assessments and ratings of products, services—and people too.