Alone

Colour, 35 mm
Germany, 2004, 88 min
Section: Forum of Independents

Synopsis

Maria has a respectable job in a university library and she also looks respectable. But beneath her seemingly icy exterior she harbours wild, untamable, self-destructive feelings. A wildness bordering on insanity. In psychiatric terms, she is a borderline personality, unable to establish any boundaries. This seemingly respectable girl succumbs to drugs, alcohol and sex. She desperately needs affection, but her relationships are always catastrophes. One-night stands follow in quick succession, without offering any warmth. One day, Jan, a student of biology, enters Maria’s life. He is different, naive, nice, warm and patient. That’s why he can’t be allowed to know everything. That’s why Maria tries to keep her dark side hidden. But things can’t carry on like this for long... An intense portrait of a lonely, lost soul superbly played by Lavinia Wilson.

About the director

Thomas Durchschlag (b. 1974) studied at the University of Essen and worked as a photographer for several magazines. He completed his post-graduate specialisation in television and film at the Art University for Media in Cologne. Alone (Allein) is his first feature.