Human Factors

Jan and Nina travel with their two children to their weekend home on the Belgian coast to find some peace and quiet. But this is ruined by a mysterious break-in when the family arrives. Afterwards, Nina has a bloody nose and Zorro, their son Max’s pet rat, has disappeared. What happened? None of them is able to give the police a clear description of the intruders. Back in Germany, the successful advertising agency that this bilingual couple runs together becomes the target of a paint bomb attack. Jan had previously made the single-handed decision to take on the election campaign for a political party with populist tendencies – a move that goes against everything Nina holds dear.

Director Ronny Trocker’s second feature film is a subtle family drama that smoothly transitions between different perspectives of an event. What took place and what it means is thus shown to us in diverse ways and is continually expanded. As he zeroes in on the state of mind of individual family members, he reveals the fragility and potency of individual perception.

Trailer...