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Based on Michel Houellebecq's international bestseller, Atomised tells the story of Michael and Bruno, two very half-brothers, and their disturbed sexuality. When they find love with two different women, cruel twists of fate force both men to choose between persuing difficult relationships or returning to their lonely lines. Bliebtreu won the Best Actor award at Berlin, and is reunited here with his Run Lola Run star Franka Potente.

Michel Houellebecq's book of the same name was an unlikely international best-seller - it was caustic, riddled with nihilism and provided one of the basest views on se... more >

Michel Houellebecq's book of the same name was an unlikely international best-seller - it was caustic, riddled with nihilism and provided one of the basest views on sex and modern humanity in recent years. It was also exhilarating, thought-provoking, funny and shocking in the best possible way.
In the film, as in the book, two brothers seek meaning in their lives. While the intellectually brilliant Michel looks for answers in genetics, Bruno attempts to find happiness through self-indulgence.
This German film adaptation is interesting in that it follows the same structure of the novel, and broadly the same events occur. Yet through this interpretation we are left with different conclusions. In place of total nihilism, there's a tinge of romance. It's like reading the book through an intermediary who tweaks it to match their psyche. This is perhaps a good thing - cinema is an overwhelming experience for the senses and a straight adaptation may well have been unwatchable, or at least a deeply unpleasant experience. Instead, a different, valid take. < less

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