A Different Man

Professional actor, that is what the insecure Edward from New York would love to become. But his face, disfigured by neurofibromatosis, stands in the way of such a career. Then Ingrid moves in next door, a Norwegian playwright who wants to make it in the US. She is very kind to Edward, who is consequently very charmed by her. An operation changes everything: Edward gets a ‘normal’ appearance and decides Edward committed suicide; from now on, he is Guy. Doubt strikes as Ingrid seeks actors for her new play Edward, a play about her ‘former’ neighbour. Who will get the lead role?

In this mix of black comedy and thriller, director Aaron Schinberg addresses the relationship between identity and appearance: are you as you look, or do you look as you are? Sebastian Stan shapes this (apparent) contradiction with conviction, which won him the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlinale. Also starring Renate Reinsve (The Worst Person in the World).