MAIN DRAMATIC COMPETITION “MAKING WAY”

HYPNOSEN

2023 / 98 min / color

Vera (a superb performance by newcomer Asta Kamma August) and Andre (Norwegian actor Herbert Nordrum, the star of The Worst Person in the World) are partners, in both their private and professional lives. They have been working for quite some time on an app designed to improve women’s reproductive health in underdeveloped countries. The whole project is seemingly inspired by Vera’s own prior health issues. A few days before an important presentation for a potential buyer and weekend pitch sessions for promising start-ups, a stressed and insecure Vera visits a hypnotist to help her quit smoking. The experience leads to sudden and unexpected side effects: she loses all social inhibitions and common sense, and becomes highly unpredictable in her reactions — leading to a series of hilariously awkward situations. In his feature debut, director Ernst de Geer presents a witty satire, with plenty of sharp comedic dialogue, about a reality governed by social media, technological innovations and excessive ambition. At the same time, he points out a fundamental paradox and irony in our modern world: we claim to appreciate individualism, but punish and exclude people for the slightest attempt at breaking rules and conventions.

• Karlovy Vary IFF – Best Actor (Herbert Nordrum), FIPRESCI Prize, Europa Cinemas Label Prize;
• Haifa IFF – Special Mantion;
• Rome FF – Special Mentio