Synopsis

The philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (Edgar Selge) defies simple templates. In 1704, a court painter (Lars Eidinger) arrives with a nearly finished portrait, only needing to add Leibniz's face. But Leibniz, skeptical of art’s ability to capture more than a likeness, hesitates. Frustrated, the painter gives up, and a new artist is hired. Their discussions about God, life, and art’s power to preserve personality and time explore questions Leibniz - a mathematician, philosopher, scientist, and pioneer across disciplines - has contemplated 300 years ago. Legendary German director Edgar Reitz (Heimat: A Chronicle Of Germany, Heimat 2, Heimat 3) masterfully captures this witty exchange between scientist and artist, honoring one of the most influential thinkers of all  times.