Clive and Elsa (Brody and Polley) are young scientists working in the complex field of genetic cloning: producing, eventually, a mixed-DNA creature that is part human, part animal.

Set in the curious world of industrial spying - have a listening device and go and listen - Natali's often self-congratulatory film is so downbeat that you know he's going for that overly serious look of a story which takes itself far too seriously.