FRG 1978 | Director, screenplay: Monika Held, Gisela Tuchtenhagen | Camera: Gisela Tuchtenhagen | Camera assistant: Barbara Metzlaff | Editing: Helga Brandt | Sound: Monika Held | Editor: Rainer Hagen | Production Manger: Wolfgang Kühnlenz | Production: Norddeutscher Rundfunk | b/w | 16mm | 90 min | german OV | Stiftung Deutsche Kinemathek

Iris is an Elvis fan and part of a group of unemployed women who, in the scope of the first West German retraining program for women, are being trained in Essen in the "male professions" of electrical and metal work. Monika Held and Gisela Tuchtenhagen accompany the group for five weeks. The women report sexism, low self-esteem and the multiple burdens they must bear. To make any progress, they need support and one another – the regular weekly meeting where they share their experiences is moved to the pub.

"I insist on the method of filming with the most minimal hassle and expense possible, without lighting, with small hand-held devices, because, in my opinion, that's how you get the best cinematic results. I think that's because we're not presenting ourselves as technicians, and instead you can tell that there are also real people behind the scenes during filming. For instance, I grin sometimes behind the camera too when I'm listening. So, I'm still a listener. Of course, I don't talk much, sure. But I remain a conversation partner with the camera." (Gisela Tuchtenhagen in conversation with Alf Bold and Wilhelm Roth on the occasion of the film's world premiere at the 8th International Forum of New Cinema in 1978)

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