Special Guest: Stella Tinbergen, Director

Germany 2024, 102 min., Rating: Not Rated

Henriette is a system-breaker. This manifests itself in an explosive mix of neediness and aggression. Born with frontal lobe syndrome, she was initially placed in isolation in an intensive care unit and only reunited with her parents many weeks later. The highly intelligent Henriette struggles against the rejection she often provokes herself. By her side is Guido, who unwaveringly rebuilds the bridges to her environment that she repeatedly destroys. Thanks to Guido, Henriette makes astonishing strides in her development. In an inclusive fairy-tale play, she defeats the “evil magic bird” and proves that she, too, possesses qualities that enrich the lives of others. The love story between Henriette and Guido is thus more than just the tale of Henriette’s struggle with, alongside, and within society; it serves as an example for many people with mental illness and their longing to be seen as genuine and taken seriously.

Stella Tinbergen succeeds in creating a touching portrait of a special relationship—sensitive, honest, and free of false romanticism.