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Plot

From the directing team of identical twin brothers Timothy Quay and Stephen Quay, Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life focuses on the experiences of Jakob Von Gunten (Mark Rylance), who has come to the titular institute to train to become a manservant. Amidst a series of unorthodox lessons under the instruction of brother and sister Johannes Benjamenta (Gottfried John) and Lisa Benjamenta (Alice Krige), Jakob becomes attracted to Lisa and she to him. As the magnetism between the two of them intensifies, Lisa's health declines more and more, leading Johannes to question Jakob's influence on her. The screenplay was adapted from the novel Jakob von Gunten by Robert Walser.
MPAA Rating:
Not Yet Rated
Genre(s):
Foreign
Run Time:
105min.
Theatrical Release Date:
05/28/1997
DVD Release Date:
08/01/2000
Distributor(s):
Channel Four
Director(s):
The Quay Brothers
Starring:
Mark Rylance , Alice Krige , Gottfried John , Daniel Smith , Joseph Alessi
Themes:
Haunted By the Past,Eccentric Families,Love Triangles,Boarding School Life,Mind Games
Tone:
Atmospheric,Dreamlike,Enigmatic,Moody,Ominous
Keywords:
family-secrets,health,indoctrination,institution,mind-control,obedience,servant
Language:
English