DER NACHTMAHR Midnight

The sophomore feature from German filmmaker AKIZ is a sensory experience with a pulsing soundtrack and engrossing visual language that blur the lines between horror and coming-of-age films. Seventeen-year-old Tina falls completely out of her normal reality when she begins to experience severe nightmares and is haunted by a strange creature. The only person she tells about the creature is her psychiatrist, who encourages Tina to get in touch with and explore it further. When she does, she discovers a tangible connection that awakens her true identity. DER NACHTMAHR is a female empowerment film on how to overcome the fear of alienation and become your true self. – Jenn Murphy