Lars Eidinger Says Tom Tykwer’s New Film ‘The Light’ Exposes the ‘Reason the World Is on the Brink’: We’re ‘Being Governed by People’ Who ‘Clearly Have a Narcissistic Personality Disorder’

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At a press conference during the Berlin Film Festival, Lars Eidinger, the lead actor in director Tom Tykwer’s new movie “The Light,” stated that the film reveals why the world finds itself at the edge – it showcases the prevalence of self-centeredness, or narcissism.

The upcoming Thursday night premiere film in German language features Eidinger and Nicolette Krebitz as Milena and Tim, middle-aged parents of two discontented 17-year-old twins. Tala Al-Deen, well-known from “Tatort,” takes on the role of Farrah, their household help who tests the family in unforeseen manners but ultimately has her own purposes.

When discussing controversial themes covered in the movie, Tykwer stated that the gap between parents and their children is like a chasm, expressing it by saying, “You’ve missed your chance! That’s what the older generation seems to be telling us.

Eidinger stated that “The Light” implies our generation, the parents in the movie, is responsible for the world’s precarious state. He went on to say, “We live in an era of excessive self-centeredness, and it’s evident that those with the most power globally suffer from narcissistic personality traits.

As a film enthusiast, I’m particularly excited about Tykwer’s upcoming release, “The Light,” which signals his return to filmmaking after four seasons steering the acclaimed series “Babylon Berlin.” In an interview with EbMaster last week, Tykwer described the film as a bold, political statement. With Germany currently embroiled in political upheaval, this film couldn’t be more timely, given that it’s set just before the critical general elections on February 23rd. These elections have been marred by the surge of the right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD), who have sparked controversy with their hardline anti-immigration views.

Eidinger emphasized that genuine transformation in politics and society should originate from personal introspection. “In my view,” he explained, “a narcissist cannot truly love themselves because they fail to acknowledge themselves, hence they remain strangers to themselves. This film’s core message is this: if we have the bravery to expose our true selves and let others see their own reflections, then we can indeed transform the world.

The performer additionally praised Tykwer, who referred to the movie as a personal production, for his bravery in exposing himself “with imperfections,” and stated that he believes it’s an appropriate selection as the festival’s opening feature film.

Initially, I was disappointed we weren’t participating in the contest, but I believe this film could play a significant role in discussions relevant to our current times. Instead of merely joining the debates by declaring what is correct and incorrect, Eidinger suggested using the movie as a catalyst to explore living with the complexity where both sides may hold valid points.

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2025-02-13 18:23