Elementarteilchen (2006)

Director:

Oskar Roehler

Writers:

Michel Houellebecq (novel)
Oskar Roehler (writer)

Release Date:

23 February 2006 (Germany)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Based on Michel Houellebecq's controversial novel, this movie focuses on Michael and Bruno, two very different...

Plot Keywords:

Half Brother | Biologist | Sexuality | Hippie | Paraplegic

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Moritz Bleibtreu	...	Bruno Klement
Christian Ulmen	...	Michael Djerzinski
Martina Gedeck	...	Christiane
Franka Potente	...	Annabelle
Nina Hoss	...	Jane
Uwe Ochsenknecht	...	Brunos Vater
Corinna Harfouch	...	Dr. Schäfer
Tom Schilling	...	Michael - jung
Herbert Knaup	...	Sollers
Michael Gwisdek	...	Prof. Fleißer
Jasmin Tabatabai	...	Yogini
Ulrike Kriener	...	Annabelles Mutter
Katharina Palm	...	Schwester Clara
Jelena Weber	...	Annabelle - jung
Rüdiger Klink	...	Uwe

Also Known As:

The Elementary Particles (International: English title) (USA) (festival title)
Atomised (UK)
Elementary Particles (USA) (festival title)

Runtime:

113 min | 105 min

Country:

Germany

Language:

German | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

Germany:12 | UK:15 | Netherlands:12 | Sweden:11 | Hong Kong:III | South Korea:18 | Italy:VM14

Filming Locations:

Bahnhof, Hetschburg, Thuringia, Germany

Company:

Medienfonds GFP

Trivia:

Oskar Roehler had worked on the script for three years before he started shooting the film.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): The first letter talking about the move to another grave of the brothers' grandmother says she has to be moved due to the construction of "Bundesstraße 17". Later the gravedigger says it's about "Bundesstraße 7"

Soundtrack:

Without You

Not for everyone

I watched this movie at a preview here in Stockholm a week or so ago. The theater was filled with people and i must admit i never thought this kind of movie would have that kind of attraction on people.

I can start by saying that i really liked this movie. I'm not sure i was entertained by it, and many times it was not a pleasant experience, but still the overwhelming feeling is that i really liked it. This is not a movie for everyone though. A lot of people will probably have a hard time with the strange mix between comedy and tragedy, others will be put off simply because of the themes and the presentation. There is a lot of nudity here, a lot of explicit language and scenes that are disturbing in more ways than one. A lot of people will probably find it gratuitous, although i feel it's more a part of an uncompromising attitude towards the movie and the story.

The story revolves around two brothers, Bruno and Michael. Bruno is the brother that really stuck with me. Moritz Bleibtreu is excellent and the character really displays how the complexity of a human being can cause you to both hate and pity him. The other actors are also very good, which is probably necessary considering the subject of the movie.

I have to stress one last time that this is not a movie for everyone. And by that i don't mean that it's demanding in the sense that you have to be a film-student to appreciate it. Rather i mean that the themes and the presentation are probably too much for many people. This movie is rough around the edges, very blunt and raw. These are the characteristics i appreciate it for, but i realize other people won't feel the same way. My guess is that either you really like it or you hate it. But you'll never know until you watch it, and therefore i feel it's still a strong recommendation. 7/10.