What are smartphones stealing from us? When mine was taken away, I found out | Alexander Hurst

As a Paris film extra, I surrendered my device and discovered the extraordinary connections I miss while staring at my screen

A few Thursdays ago was a wrap. For my brief acting career, that is. One of the benefits of having a writer’s schedule in a city like Paris is the ability to say yes to the flurry of random opportunities that pop up. When an announcement flashed across a WhatsApp group that a Hollywood comedy-thriller with an all-star cast and a wacky plot was looking for extras, I thought why not – and sent in a few headshots. (I wish I could reveal more details, but I am, alas, bound by a non-disclosure clause that the production company declined to release me from.)

I had little idea of exactly what to expect. But I certainly wasn’t thinking that one of the biggest takeaways would be spending hours with other people without access to our phones.

Alexander Hurst is a Guardian Europe columnist

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