In contrast to the book setting in Paris, the film was shot entirely and is mainly situated in various places in Germany.

Contrary to the book, the film does not have cultural pessimism as a main theme, and it has an alternative ending.

He is frustrated by his current job in Berlin and decides to continue his research on cloning at an institution in Ireland.

Bruno, a secondary school teacher and unsuccessful author, on the other hand, is obsessed with his own sexual desires and systematically drowns himself in failed attempts with women and nights with prostitutes.

To his surprise, he meets his childhood friend Annabelle there and finds that she is still single and they start a sexual relationship.

Bruno leaves the mental institution and goes on holiday to a hippie camp after being faced with divorce by his wife.

The film ends with title cards stating that Michael Djerzinski received the Nobel Prize.