Peacock

Albrecht Schuch (Dark Satellites GER24, All Quiet on the Western Front) delivers a stellar central performance in Peacock, a biting satire about the essence of human relationships. Matthias (Schuch) is a master of his profession, the head of a successful Rent-A-Friend agency, playing any role in any situation his clients desire for a fee. Do you need a “cultured boyfriend” to impress your friends? A “perfect son” to influence your business partners’ opinion of you? Or maybe just a sparring partner to rehearse an argument? Whatever it is, simply rent Matthias. Business is going well, but while Matthias excels at pretending to be someone else every day, the real challenge is just being himself. Matthias’ curated and composed life begins to unravel as he struggles with his life and sense of self outside work, plunging him into an identity crisis. Written and directed by Bernhard Wenger in his feature film debut, Peacock is a pitch-perfect witty, existential black comedy with a touch of the surreal and sly social commentary.