‘PREMIERE : System Crasher (BENNI) - Nora Fingscheidt’

The nine-year-old tomboy Benni experiences a childhood trauma. This manifests in panic attacks and aggression towards herself and others. Because her single mother, who also has her younger brother and sister to look after, does not know how to deal with her, social services take Benni into care and try to find a suitable environment for her. After a brief stay with a foster family, and a few hospital visits, it becomes clear that no effective and permanent solution can be found. Despite the great efforts of Mrs Bafané, a social worker, no progress is made. Her last hope is Micha, an educator who has the duty of escorting Benni to school. Their relationship becomes increasingly intense and, after spending a couple of weeks in the woods together, they appear to reach a significant turning point.  

Benni is an authentic, thrilling and moving film that is also strong in its form. 
Nora Fingscheidt's first feature film, one of four German-language films in competition at Berlin in 2019, sets the bar high.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Festival Selection: 
Berlinale – Compétition 2019, Festival du Nouveau Cinéma de Montréal, PRIX LUX, Festival International du Film de Gand 2019, Les Arcs Film Festival,  Jerusalem Film festival, Istanv-bul International Film Festival.