Ingenium

Ingenium is an enigmatic and thrilling German film released in 2018, directed by Steffen Hacker. The film tells the story of Felicitas (played by Anne Alexander-Sieder), a woman wrenched from her ordinary life to embark on a rollercoaster journey that defies the conventional rules of time and place. The film captivates viewers with complex characters and focuses on themes of destiny, choice, reality, and illusion. The talented lead debut actors including Erkan Acar, Anne Alexander-Sieder, and Raffael Armbruster, give intriguing performances that keeps the viewers hooked till the end.

Intricately woven with intricate details, the movie begins with Felicitas living a routine life in Berlin, her world shrivels when one day she wakes up in the consciousness of a sick Thai girl named Nat. Felicitas doesn't merely witness Nat's life but experiences it intensely. She becomes a part of a contrasting world, in another country, soaked in a different culture. Nat is ill and likely won't live much longer, and Felicitas feels both her struggle and despair as if they were her own.

The surprise turn of events leave Felicitas in a state of bewilderment. Indifferent to her sudden episodes, she tries to convince her boyfriend, Tom (played by Raffael Armbruster), that her unusual experiences are real, but he dismisses it as figments of her imagination. With her continuous shift in consciousness between two different lives, Felicitas’s reality gradually blurs, culminating in an existential crisis.

On a mission to unravel the mystery of Nat, Felicitas embarks on a journey to Thailand to discover the truth. The realistic portrayal of a tourist in Thailand adds another level of suspense. She soon encounters a stranger named Kazim (played by Erkan Acar) who aides her in her quest for answers. Erkan Acar's portrayal of an enigmatic good samaritan is both compelling and keeps the audience on edge through the film's narrative.

Ingenium does an excellent job in the way it handles the dueling narrative devices. The movie suspends you between two worlds - Thailand's exotic locations and the urban landscape of Berlin, effectively playing with lighting, music, and cinematography to create distinct atmospheres. It combines thriller and drama elements with a subtle layer of sci-fi, resulting in a completely unique narrative that’s enthralling and unpredictable. Cross-cutting between Felicita’s two realities, the film keeps the audience guessing and questioning, mirroring Felicita’s own rising fear and confusion.

The language used in the film is multi-lingual, switching between German, English, and Thai, reflecting the beautiful diversity in the storyline. This impeccable fluidity and attention to detail make the movie feel both global and intimate at the same time, immersing the viewer in the narrative on a deeper level. The concrete presence of Berlin and Thailand in the film serves not just as a geography but also layers into the metaphor of divided realities of Felicitas.

Another element that makes the movie stand out is the emotive performances delivered by the actors. Anne Alexander-Sieder’s portrayal of fear, confusion, and resilience as Felicitas is both powerful and moving, her character depth is exceptional for a sci-fi thriller and provides a strong emotional anchor for the audience. When paired with finely tuned performances from Erkan Acar and Raffael Armbruster, the resulting dynamic is captivating, adding immense substance to their characters and the film as a whole.

Ingenium is Steffen Hacker’s first feature film, and it manages to engage its viewers with its captivating storytelling, unique plot, and strong performances. Hacker masterfully weaves parallel narratives together, ensuring each twist and turn in the plot is impactful and leaves the audience on the edge of their seats. Every frame effectively heightens the tension by juggling between two different characters, realities, questions of life, death, love, and survival.

For those in search of an intelligent thriller that will challenge them and keep them guessing until the very end, Ingenium is a must-watch. The film continues to be discussed for its riveting narrative and fantastic performances, making it a hidden gem in contemporary German cinema.