Plot

In his relentless attempt to build a library of the complete genetic blueprint of the human race, a famous professor gets swirled into the political, ethical and existential tangle his work creates.

Spearheaded by maverick professor Eske Willerslev, an international team of scientists undertakes an unprecedented quest: to decode the DNA of 5,000 ancient humans. As their groundbreaking genetic archive expands, it begins to reveal unexpected secrets-reshaping what we thought we knew about human history and evolution. Could conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, and autism have always been part of our genetic makeup? And might these so-called disorders be intrinsic to being human? For five years, Danish filmmaker Simon Lec and his crew have followed Willerslev, capturing the highs and lows of a man driven by ambition and haunted by questions of identity. This documentary is not only a portrait of a scientist striving to leave his mark on the world, but also a deeply personal journey-one that challenges what it means to be different and suggests that the answers may lie deep within our ancient genes.

Professor Eske Willerslev has a big idea. He is dreaming of building the world's largest collection of prehistoric DNA: A gigantic library with the genetic makeup of the human species, compiled from 5,000 long-dead individuals. It's a bold project. The professor is certain that the initiative is essential to humanity, nevertheless. This DNA collection could potentially unlock extraordinary mysteries about our species and the diseases we suffer from. For the professor, the mission is also important since it may pave the way for him to fulfill a lifelong ambition of his: winning the Nobel Prize. We gradually discover that the professor has additional personal reasons for working on the subject: As the DNA library grows, Willerslev and his team discover new insights into who we are. Have mental illnesses like depression, ADHD, autism, and bipolar always been ingrained in human DNA? And is it possible that mental illness is actually intimately connected to what it means to be human?

For the professor and his team of international researchers, the challenges are innumerable. The initiative faces opposition from within its own ranks, more than $10 million has to be raised, and 15,000 old skeletons need to be acquired. Furthermore, the monumental mission is hampered by the professor's drive and desire for prestige and honor. But the professor is firm in his faith.

Director Simon Lec and his crew followed Willerslev for five years, documenting his personal and professional life. The result is an intimate portrayal of a strong, competitive scientist and his goal to leave his mark on the history and future of humanity. But it is also a heartwarming story of a man who has always felt different and struggled to fit in - a struggle that his scientific project finally forces him to confront.