With Metanoia, I set out to investigate the very concept of utopia. What if humanity could cure itself of aggression, cruelty, and unrest through psychological conditioning—but in doing so, also suppress what makes us most alive? This short film was born from the question of whether perfection is desirable, and whether it is even possible. I was particularly interested in how deeply human experiences—like music—can transcend control and awaken a forgotten self.

Nova’s journey represents human complexity. Her unravelling is both a psychological crisis and a form of liberation. Through her, I wanted to explore how emotion, imperfection, and self-expression are integral to what it means to be human.

Metanoia was created on no budget during my studies at HTW Berlin. Despite its scale, this film aims to offer a deeply personal reflection on the dangers of ideological extremes and the value of vulnerability in the face of a mechanised vision of progress.