Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life
Jakob arrives at the Institute Benjamenta (run by brother and sister Johannes and Lisa Benjamenta) to learn to become a servant. With seven other men, he studies under Lisa: absurd lessons of movement, drawing circles, and servility. He asks for a better room. No other students arrive and none leave for employment. Johannes is unhappy, imperious, and detached from the school's operation. Lisa is beautiful, at first tightly controlled, then on the verge of breakdown. There's a whiff of incest. Jakob is drawn to Lisa, and perhaps she to him. As winter sets in, she becomes catatonic. Things get worse; Johannes notes that all this has happened since Jakob came. Is there any cause and effect?
Where to watch Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life in United States
Amazon Prime Video
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Fandor Amazon Channel
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Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
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Cineverse
Tubi TVClick a service to open Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life there. Availability last verified on June 20, 2026.
Where is Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Fandor Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | — |
| United Kingdom | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| Canada | Tubi TV, Plex, Cineverse | — |
| France | MUBI Amazon Channel | Orange VOD |
About Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life
Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life is a 1995 English-language drama film directed by Stephen Quay and Timothy Quay. The cast is led by Alice Krige, Mark Rylance, Gottfried John. It has a runtime of 1h 45m. In United States, it is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Fandor Amazon Channel.
Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life was produced by Koninck Studios, Image Forum, and Pandora Film and made in Germany and Japan. It was released on August 1, 1995.
- Director
- Stephen Quay, Timothy Quay
- Writers
- Timothy Quay, Alan Passes, Stephen Quay
- Release date
- August 1, 1995
- Original language
- English
- Status
- Released
- Country
- Germany, Japan
- Production
- Koninck Studios, Image Forum, Pandora Film
Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life cast & crew
Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life was directed by Stephen Quay and Timothy Quay and written by Timothy Quay, Alan Passes, and Stephen Quay.
The cast features Alice Krige as Lisa Benjamenta, Mark Rylance as Jakob, Gottfried John as Herr Benjamenta, Daniel Smith as Kraus, Joseph Alessi as Pepino, and Jonathan Stone as Hebling.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Lech Jankowski, cinematography is by Nicholas D. Knowland, and it was produced by Karl Baumgartner and Keith Griffiths.
Is Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life worth watching?
At 1h 45m, it's a standard feature-length watch.
If you enjoy drama, Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life
In United States, you can stream Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Fandor Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, and Shout! Factory Amazon Channel. Click any service above to open it directly.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
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Cast of Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life
Alice Krige
Lisa Benjamenta
Mark Rylance
Jakob
Gottfried John
Herr Benjamenta
Daniel Smith
Kraus
Joseph Alessi
Pepino
Jonathan Stone
Hebling
César Saratxu
Inigo
Peter Lovstrom
Jorgenson
Uri Roodner
Schilinski
Peter Whitfield
Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life — FAQs
▸Where can I watch Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life in United States?
Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Fandor Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads in United States.
▸Is Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life on Amazon Prime Video?
Yes — Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life is currently available on Amazon Prime Video in United States.
▸What language is Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life in?
Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life is originally in English, with audio tracks including Afrikaans, English, German, Spanish. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life?
Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life runs 1 hours 45 minutes (105 minutes).
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