Ann Oren, a Berlin-based visual artist and filmmaker, is presenting her latest feature film ‘Objet a’ at the 79th Locarno Film Festival, where it will compete in the international competition section. The film follows two hand surgeons named Ingeborg and Adam who share a carefully balanced relationship defined by love, control, and compulsive behaviors. When a character named Gaia arrives unexpectedly, their dynamic shifts as new desires surface among the three individuals.
The cast includes Aenne Schwarz in the role of Ingeborg, Louis Hofmann as Adam, and Simone Bucio as Gaia, alongside supporting performances from Georg Friedrich and Sofia Kokkali. Oren co-wrote the screenplay with Geoffroy Grison, while Juan Sarmiento G. handled cinematography and Hansjörg Weißbrich managed editing. The production involved multiple companies including Schuldenberg Films, Tarantula, asterisk*, and ERT. Distribution plans include a German theatrical release in the first quarter of next year through Grandfilm, with Oscilloscope Laboratories securing North American rights and Bendita Film Sales managing international sales.
Oren describes the film as a stylized cinematic examination of fragile human relationships and the connection between humans and nature. The director notes that her artistic approach centers on the human body and physical performance, exploring how contemporary life—characterized by increased interaction with digital screens rather than physical touch—affects human desire and sensation. The film employs minimal color until green gradually becomes prominent, and the narrative incorporates ritualistic elements tied to themes of control and obsession.
Both Schwarz and Hofmann emphasized the physical and choreographic nature of their performances, explaining how the work involved precise movement, controlled distance, and tension created through gazes and minimal physical contact. The actors described the experience as dance-like and collaborated closely with Oren to develop their characters through unconventional methods, including voice work and exploration of how costume elements and objects became extensions of their bodies.
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