The movie Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life, is a surreal and hypnotic exploration of power, hierarchy, and submission. It is based on the novel "Jakob Von Gunten" by Swiss writer Robert Walser and directed by the Quay Brothers, known for their experimental and visually stunning films.
The Institute Benjamenta is a mysterious and enigmatic institution that trains young men to become servants. The students are subjected to a series of eccentric and arbitrary lessons that seem to have no practical application. They are taught to move in a slow and controlled manner, to draw perfect circles, and to obey without question.
Jakob, the protagonist, is a naive and idealistic young man who comes to the Institute with the hope of finding meaning and purpose in his life. He is immediately struck by the beauty of Lisa Benjamenta, the sister who runs the school. Lisa is a complex and enigmatic figure, sometimes cold and distant, sometimes warm and vulnerable.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that there is something deeply wrong with the Institute Benjamenta. The students seem to be trapped in a never-ending cycle of servitude, with no prospects for a life beyond the walls of the school. Some of them become disillusioned and eventually leave, but most of them stay, seemingly unable to break free from the spell of the Benjamenta siblings.
The relationship between Lisa and Johannes, the brother who seems to have no real interest in running the school, is also shrouded in mystery. There are hints of incestuous desires and a sense of unease that permeates the entire movie.
The Quay Brothers' signature visual style is on full display in the movie, with stunning sets, intricate animations, and haunting music. The movie is a feast for the senses, but it is also a challenging and thought-provoking work of art that raises questions about power, control, and the human condition.
