Based on Michel Houellebecq's controversial novel, Atomised (aka The Elementary Particles) 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. But Bruno's life changes when he gets to know the experienced Christiane. In the meantime, Michael meets Annabelle, the love of his youth, again.
Acting
Ulmen's robotic Michael vs Bleibtreu's sweating desperation.
Direction
Roehler commits fully to Houellebecq's unrelenting pessimism.
Cinematography
Cold clinical labs vs. grimy sex clubs, no escape.
Director
Oskar Roehler
Christian Ulmen
Michael Djerzinski
Moritz Bleibtreu
Bruno Klement
Martina Gedeck
Christiane
Franka Potente
Annabelle
Nina Hoss
Jane
Corinna Harfouch
Dr. Schäfer
Uwe Ochsenknecht
Bruno's Father
Jasmin Tabatabai
Yogini
Tom Schilling
Michael (young)
Thomas Drechsel
Bruno (young)
Nina Kronjäger
Katja
Hermann Beyer
Annabelle's Father
Ulrike Kriener
Annabelle's Mother
Jennifer Ulrich
Johanna
Michael Gwisdek
Professor Fleisser
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Houellebecq called this his 'most personal novel' and hated the film; he thought Roehler missed the comedy. (There's comedy?)
The nudist camp scenes were shot at a real former East German nudist colony — historically accurate communist nakedness.
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