The Dark Gene (2015)

• 60%
• 2015
• Documentary
• Miriam Jakobs
• Gerhard Schick

When a neurologist's career is derailed by a bout of severe depression he sets out to gain insights into the origin and treatment of the illness. Being a patient and doctor at the same time he will tell his story from two different perspectives, leading us far beyond the scope of his individual well being into the genetic universe and illuminating the immense changes lying ahead in the advance of DNA-sequencing at the same time. But the film does not stop at a purely scientific approach to the topic. Artistic and playful approaches to the genetic code, challenge the seemingly determining genetic fingerprint and help the protagonist to open up, despite pain, to a comforting perspective on the visually and acoustically fascinating world of cells, molecules and genes and the uniqueness of life.