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Mark Rylance, Alice Krige, Gottfried John, Daniel Smith, Joseph Alessi ... see more see more... , Cesar Sarachu , Jonathan Stone , Peter Lovstrom , Uri Roodner , Peter Whifield

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 Rylanc... read more read more...e), 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. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

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87% liked it

1,016 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

6 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Stephen Quay, Timothy Quay, Brothers Quay

Release Date: January 28, 1996

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DVD Release Date: August 1, 2000

Stats: 70 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (70)

  • sleepykiss
    February 17, 2007
    sleepykiss
    "Sometimes more life lies hidden in the opening of a door than in a question. Past & future circle about. Now we know more, now we know less." Strangely hypnotic, erotic, masochistic. Beautiful imagery, dark humor. Very Kafka, very Lynch-esque. "Please sniff..."
  • twzinn
    December 14, 2006
    twzinn
    This game we call the human life, as incest - there is something primal in the symbology of this work, and yet the obsessive-compulsive madness of Quayesque rigor renders it wooden and insipid, repetitive - it is in this repetition that the actors in this human drama find their s... read morehells and live them out, not without rupture and the odd necrophilic moment when life as love must needs implode on itself in grey ecstacy. Chilling and inspired. It tasted like chalk.

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Critic Reviews

Anton Bitel
May 17, 2010
Anton Bitel, Eye for Film

an abstract, uncanny experience which, like any good servant, is far too tactful just to blurt out its masters' secrets. Full Review

Nick Schager
August 8, 2006
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

A beautiful, complex work that's more easily enjoyed in hindsight. Full Review

Phil Hall
October 28, 2002
Phil Hall, Wired

A one-of-a-kind education in creative filmmaking. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
January 1, 2000
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The film sets a nightmarish tone. Full Review

Stephen Holden
August 30, 2004
Stephen Holden, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Kevin Thomas
February 21, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

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Peter Stack
January 1, 2000
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

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Marc Savlov
January 1, 2000
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle

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Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

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June 5, 2002
Boxoffice Magazine

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