A film by Mercedes Stalenhoef
Peter Schuster lives in an institution for the mentally handicapped. He is able to constrain his anger outbursts by playing the drums and piano. Frequently something in his brain explodes making him lose control. He even becomes afraid of himself when this happens. With his enchanting music he hopes to impress girls who don’t live in the institution. Peter’s dream is to date someone from the ‘normal community’. But then things change for everyone. The director of the institution is convinced: ‘ no longer should the mentally disabled be hidden far from society.’ Integration' is the new creed. A new housing scheme is developed to enable the mentally disabled to live among ‘normal people’. Director Mercedes Stalenhoef follows Peter during this seven-year construction process. At first Peter is delighted by the development, but this rapidly changes as Peter and his fellow companions anticipate to move into a 'normal' neighbourhood, resulting in insecurity, fear and stress. However during the seven years, not a single house is sold. Peter's new home is standing in an unrealised neighbourhood. This situation provide surrealistic scenes. Now, more than ever, Peter’s dreams seem unattainable.
