From Germany, comes the stylish and sexy psychological drama, The Year I Lost My Mind.
Playing as part of the 2018 Vancouver Queer Film Festival, The Year I Lost My Mind is the story of Tom, a lonely young man who becomes obsessed with professor Lars after breaking into his home and watching him as he sleeps.
Tom is also obsessed with masks, wearing them as he stalks Lars, including the times he breaks into Lars’ apartment while the professor is lecturing on homosexuality at the local university.
Tom is a man of few words, with a cold intense stare. As played by Alexander Tsypilev, Tom carries a wealth of pain and confusion, making him both creepy and compelling. ‘
As Lars, Julien Lickert is a beautiful object of desire, but there is a pain and longing in his eyes too, hinting to perhaps not being quite together as he appears.
Serial killers and superheros also wear masks, which director Tor Iben throws into the mix alongside some nude wrestling. Bartosz Bludau’s music is dynamic and foreboding, especially as Tom begins to take more and more risks.
Although some of the plot twists are predictable, there is enough tension and unique turns remaining in what is an ultimately satisfying, and surprisingly touching, pyscho-drama.
The Year I Lost my Mind screens as part of the 2018 Vancouver Queer Film Festival on 10 August 2018 at 9:30 pm at the Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas. Visit queerfilmfestival.ca for tickets and information.