Die wahre Schönheit

Theo and Mona, together with his daughter Hanna from his first marriage, lead a seemingly idyllic life on the outskirts of Berlin. Theo found support with his current partner after the death of his first wife, who was Mona's sister. Mona herself has been disabled since an accident, which is why she numbs herself with medication and alcohol. When Alina, the daughter of one of Mona's friends, temporarily moves in with the family, the shaky construct collapses. Theo takes refuge in romantic fantasies with the young Alina. The more Theo blossoms, the more Mona slips into a deep depression. Theo's pubescent daughter Hanna is the only one who recognizes the seriousness of the situation and stands helplessly by as her stepmother Mona drifts ever closer to the abyss. For producer, co-writer and leading actress Eva Habermann, THE UGLY TRUTH was a special project: "For me, it was a matter of the heart to make a film about the subject of depression. I know what I'm talking about, because I've been through this illness myself". THE UGLY TRUTH celebrated its premiere at the Braunschweig Film Festival, where it was screened in competition and praised for its sensitive staging. It received several awards at other independent festivals, including the prize for Best Director. With its powerful subject matter and strong visual language, the film stands out as an important contribution to contemporary German arthouse cinema.