In 1962, at a physics conference in the Swiss Alps, young Johannes defends a theory concerning the existence of parallel worlds. But nobody believes it, not even his doctoral advisor. But mystery keeps piling up: a curious cloud formation in the sky, the ghostly presence of Karin, a young pianist who obsesses him and seems to know everything about him… And what about the victims of strange accidents in the mountains? Reality seems very fragile in this place.
Somewhere between a behind-closed-doors story and a dark novel, this strange yet seductive film evokes the great Hollywood classics while exploring a new form, with remarkable cinematography and soundtrack.
« Universal Theory dresse un grand mélodrame […] et à travers Jan Bülow et Olivia Ross, transcendants de justesse, un magnifique portrait d’un amour impossible qui atteindra un paroxysme émotionnel totalement dingue. »
Alexei Paire www.cestquoilecinema.fr
Grand Prix Nouveau Genre et Prix du public, L’Étrange Festival, 2023, fr
Special Mention, Athens International Film Festival, 2023, gr
Best Motion Picture, José Luis Guarner Critic's Award, 2023, es
Timm Kröger
Born 1985 in Germany, Timm Kröger studied at the European Film College in Ebeltoft, (Denmark), then at Filmakademie BW in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Timm Kröger’s first feature and graduation film Zerrumpelt Herz (The Council of Birds) premieres in Venice in 2014 at the Settimana della Critica. Followed by two collaborations as cinematographer with Sandra Wollner (The Trouble With Being Born, The Impossible Picture). Since 2018, he is part of The Barricades, a production company in Berlin together with Viktoria Stolpe. The Universal Theory is Timm Kröger’s debut feature as a writer and director.
