

Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life
Jakob arrives at the Institute Benjamenta (run by brother and sister Johannes and Lisa Benjamenta) to learn to become a servant. With seven other men, he studies under Lisa: absurd lessons of movement, drawing circles, and servility. He asks for a better room. No other students arrive and none leave for employment. Johannes is unhappy, imperious, and detached from the school's operation. Lisa is beautiful, at first tightly controlled, then on the verge of breakdown. There's a whiff of incest. Jakob is drawn to Lisa, and perhaps she to him. As winter sets in, she becomes catatonic. Things get worse; Johannes notes that all this has happened since Jakob came. Is there any cause and effect?
TMDB
7.6/10
50 votes
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- —
- Box office
- —
- Language
- Afrikaans
- servant
- surrealism
- school life
- institution
- correctional institution
- servant heiress relationship
Top billed cast
Where to watch
All optionsAvailability for United States. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.
Gallery











Release dates
United KingdomGB
- Theatrical17 Nov 1995
CanadaCA
- Theatrical14A13 Sept 1995
CzechiaCZ
- Theatrical (limited)15+Film clubs only15 Feb 1999
SwitzerlandCH
- Theatrical1 Aug 1995
Frequently asked questions
- When was Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life released?
- Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life was released on 1 August 1995.
- Where can I watch Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life online?
- Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life is available on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Fandor Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel in US. Use the Watch now links in the Where to watch section for official pages.
- Is there a Hindi trailer for Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life?
- No verified Hindi trailer for Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life is available yet. Only the original-language trailer is listed.
- What is the rating of Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life?
- Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life holds a 7.6/10 audience score from 50 votes.
- Who directed Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life?
- Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life (1995) was directed by Stephen Quay.
- How long is Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life?
- Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life runs for 1h 45m.
















