A severe depression forces a neurologist to end his career; his life is turned upside down. He decides to investigate the causes...

This is the starting point of the documentary Das Dunkle Gen (The Dark Gene) directed by Miriam Jakobs and Gerhard Schick that will premiere this week at the Solothurn Film Festival, the most important festival for Swiss film productions.

The documentary was partially filmed at the CNAG and the MareNostrum facilities of the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC). The film shows how Frank Schauder, the main character of the film, looks into the field of human genome sequencing to find the right medicine for his depression and decides to get his own genome decoded. While Frank works his way through genomic analysis, he also seeks assurance and solace in the artistic perspective hoping that at some point in time he will be able to make peace with his dark gene, which all but destroyed his life.

Ivo Gut, director of the CNAG, is listed among the cast of the film. He is one of the experts who talks to Frank and explains how genome analysis can help him to find the medication which will let him lead a normal and fulfilling life.

The documentary will be premiered on January 23rd at the Panorama Documentaries section. The 50th Solothurn Film Festival will take place from January 22 – 29, 2015. With over 60,000 visitors every year, the Solothurn Film Festival ranks among the most renowned cultural events in Switzerland.