Explore Zone Jury awards 'Mein Bruder heißt Robert und ist ein Idiot'

In 'Mein Bruder heißt Robert und ist ein Idiot' Philip Gröning presents Robert and his nearly graduated sister Elena. They spend their summer bored at their family's gas station, bickering about sex and relationships or talking about Heidegger and other philosophers Elena has to read for her final philosophy exam. Acting as his own cinematographer, Gröning frames his subjects in an extreme way: sometimes by allowing his protagonists to merge into a wide-ranging photography and sometimes by capturing them in extreme close-ups.

"The film is a strong piece of arthouse cinema and will certainly divide opinions; but it is its audacity, absurdism and critique on pseudo-intellectualism that makes the film absolutely worthwhile. The meta-quality of the film left us speechless as well," said the jury.

"Philip Gröning tries to convey his perception of time through twin siblings. He touches on important themes like relationships and adolescence in the most unusual way. Despite the insidious rhythm, the film surprised us with an incredible climax that continued to haunt our minds for days afterwards."

The youth jury this year included Jordi Bosman, Joram De Cocker, Alexander De Man, Nina Cools and Ophelia Van Wijmeersch. Thanks to the Explore Zone Award, the film can count on a media campagne for the Belgian release worth €32.500 in collaboration with Studio Brussel, De Morgen, Knack Focus and UniversCiné.