Atomised (2006)
"Elementarteilchen" (original title)

Based on Michel Houellebecq's controversial novel, this movie focuses on Michael and Bruno, two very different half-brothers and their disturbed sexuality. After a chaotic childhood with a ... See full summary »

Director:

Oskar Roehler

Writers:

Michel Houellebecq (novel), Oskar Roehler

Stars:

Moritz Bleibtreu, Christian Ulmen, Martina Gedeck

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Moritz Bleibtreu	...	Bruno Klement
Christian Ulmen	...	Michael Djerzinski
Martina Gedeck	...	Christiane
Franka Potente	...	Annabelle
Nina Hoss	...	Jane
Uwe Ochsenknecht	...	Brunos Vater
Corinna Harfouch	...	Dr. Schäfer
Tom Schilling	...	Michael - jung
Thomas Drechsel	...	Bruno - jung
Herbert Knaup	...	Sollers
Michael Gwisdek	...	Prof. Fleißer
Jasmin Tabatabai	...	Yogini
Ulrike Kriener	...	Annabelles Mutter
Katharina Palm	...	Schwester Clara
Jelena Weber	...	Annabelle - jung

Storyline

Based on Michel Houellebecq's controversial novel, this movie focuses on Michael and Bruno, two very different half-brothers and their disturbed sexuality. After a chaotic childhood with a hippie mother only caring for her affairs, Michael, a molecular biologist, is more interested in genes than women, while Bruno is obsessed with his sexual desires, but mostly finds his satisfaction with prostitutes. His pitiful life changes when he gets to know the experienced Christiane. In the meantime, Michael meets Annabelle, the love of his youth, again...

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Plot Keywords:

hippie | half brother | biologist | sexuality | bathtub | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site (de) TFM Distribution [fr]

Country:

Germany

Language:

German English

Release Date:

23 February 2006 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Elementary Particles

Filming Locations:

Bahnhof, Hetschburg, Thuringia, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

€6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£25,823 (UK) (14 July 2006)

Gross:

£25,823 (UK) (14 July 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Medienfonds GFP

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Oskar Roehler had worked on the script for three years before he started shooting the film.

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Goofs

In the scene where Christiane is waiting for Bruno's phone call in her apartment, the doorstep onto the balcony is clearly visible. A few moments later when she rolls outside in her wheelchair it has been replaced with a ramp.

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Quotes

Katja: [subtitled version] I do love Brazilian dancing. Because Brazil is full of energy.
Bruno Klement: F***ing Brazil is full of mindless fanatics, obsessed with soccer and motor-racing. We could go to Brazil together, Katja. We could drive through the favelas in an armored minibus and look at little 8-year old killers and little whores dying of AIDS at 13. Later we can hang out at the beach with filthy-rich drug dealers and pimps.

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Soundtracks

"Without You"
Written by Tom Evans and Pete Ham
Performed by Harry Nilsson

User Reviews

Tragically Weird

In Berlin, the scientist Michael Djerzinski (Christian Ulmen) decides to return to Ireland to proceed his research about genetics that he left behind three years ago. Meanwhile, his racist, bigoted, sexually disturbed and addicted in masturbation half-brother Bruno Klement (Moritz Bleibtreu) has just divorced from his wife and is interned in a psychiatric clinic for therapy. Michael and Bruno were left by their hippie mother that moved to Poona when they were child and their dysfunctional childhood reflects in their personality and sexual behavior. When Michael is informed that the remains of his grandmother should be replaced since a new road will pass by the cemetery, he visits his childhood sweetheart Annabelle (Franka Potente) and finds that she is an experienced woman that has had a crush on him since she was five years old. Further, she had had many deceptions in her love affairs, while Michael is still virgin. Meanwhile Bruno meets the liberal Christiane (Martina Gedeck) in a nudist camp and he believes she is the woman of his life, until a tragedy happens.

"Elementarteilchen" is a tragically weird, sometimes very unpleasant, low budget movie. Bruno is hateful character, with his sick and selfish behavior and prejudice. His essay about black people and his comments about Brazil are despicable. However, the performance of Moritz Bleibtreu is top-notch. I also liked very much the performance of Martina Gedeck. Christian Ulmen and Franka Potente complete the good cast of this strange and dramatic romance. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Partículas Elementares" ("Elementary Particles")