What We Wanted (2020) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A couple's vacation exposes how pregnancy loss, fertility treatment, and financial strain weigh on their relationship and hopes for a family.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Loss and Its Limits

Alice and Niklas learn that the embryo has no heartbeat. The clinic warns about continued treatment and recommends a break after repeated unsuccessful attempts.

Key Events

• Alice's Stormy Island Dream — Alice describes dreaming of a stormy island and a small girl whose face she cannot see clearly. Characters: Alice Location: Dream island
• Fertility Clinic — Alice and Niklas receive news about the outcome of their fertility treatment. Characters: Alice, Niklas, Gynaecologist Location: Fertility clinic
• Pregnancy Loss Confirmed — The Gynaecologist says the implanted embryo no longer has a heartbeat and Alice will likely miscarry naturally. Characters: Alice, Niklas, Gynaecologist Location: Fertility clinic
• Treatment Risks Explained — The Gynaecologist warns of psychological effects from repeated hormonal treatment. Characters: Alice, Niklas, Gynaecologist Location: Fertility clinic
• A Break Is Recommended — After four unsuccessful attempts, the couple is advised to reconsider and take a break. Characters: Alice, Niklas, Gynaecologist Location: Fertility clinic
• Public Coverage Ends — The couple learns that further treatment will no longer be covered by the public health system. Characters: Alice, Niklas Location: Fertility clinic

A Holiday Under Pressure

The couple vacation by the sea with another family, while their financial difficulties remain present. The contrasting behavior of Denise and David draws attention to the family around them.

Key Events

• Public Coverage Ends — The couple learns that further treatment will no longer be covered by the public health system. Characters: Alice, Niklas Location: Fertility clinic
• Seaside Vacation — Alice and Niklas vacation near the sea with Christl, Romed, Denise, and David. Characters: Alice, Niklas, Christl, Romed, Denise, David Location: Seaside vacation in Sardinia
• Denise Seeks Activity — Denise is energetic and eager to swim and play. Characters: Denise Location: Seaside vacation
• David Withdraws Indoors — Thirteen-year-old David remains withdrawn and spends much of his time indoors studying. Characters: David Location: Vacation accommodation
• Romed Gets Frustrated — Romed becomes frustrated with David, while Christl says his behavior is only a phase. Characters: Romed, David, Christl Location: Seaside vacation
• Credit Limit Request — Niklas calls to request a 15,000-euro increase to his credit limit. Characters: Niklas Location: Seaside vacation

Confiding and Remembering

Romed invites Niklas on a climb, and Alice shares her loss and uncertainty with Romed. She later tells Niklas about the heartbeat she saw briefly.

Key Events

• Credit Limit Request — Niklas calls to request a 15,000-euro increase to his credit limit. Characters: Niklas Location: Seaside vacation
• Romed Proposes a Climb — Romed invites Niklas to climb at Rocca Doria; Alice is uneasy but agrees to go along. Characters: Romed, Niklas, Alice Location: Seaside vacation
• Rocca Doria — The planned via ferrata climb is associated with the vacation's growing unease. Characters: Romed, Niklas, Alice Location: Rocca Doria
• Alice Confides in Romed — Alice tells Romed about the pregnancy loss and the couple's uncertainty about having children. Characters: Alice, Romed Location: Seaside vacation
• The Heartbeat Memory — Alice tells Niklas she briefly saw a heartbeat at the doctor's office before looking away. Characters: Alice, Niklas Location: Seaside vacation

The Argument Breaks Open

Alice and Niklas confront each other over intimacy, fertility, and blame. Their argument escalates, a glass shatters, and Niklas leaves by car.

Key Events

• The Heartbeat Memory — Alice tells Niklas she briefly saw a heartbeat at the doctor's office before looking away. Characters: Alice, Niklas Location: Seaside vacation
• Intimacy Becomes an Accusation — Alice accuses Niklas of avoiding intimacy and being afraid he cannot cause a pregnancy. Characters: Alice, Niklas Location: Seaside vacation
• Blame Turns to Nature — Niklas says something is wrong and blames nature and his sperm; Alice says he wants sex only for a child. Characters: Alice, Niklas Location: Seaside vacation
• A Glass Shatters — Their argument escalates and a glass is shattered. Characters: Alice, Niklas Location: Seaside vacation
• Niklas Leaves — Niklas storms out after the argument. Characters: Niklas Location: Seaside vacation
• Drive into Uncertainty — Niklas drives away with music playing, leaving the couple's relationship and future unresolved. Characters: Niklas Location: Road away from the vacation

Story Breakdown

• Stormy Dream — Alice's dream introduces an image of a child before the clinic's painful news.
  • Island Encounter — Alice dreams of a stormy island and an unfamiliar girl.
  • Unclear Face — The girl's face remains difficult for Alice to see clearly.
• Clinic Loss — The fertility clinic confirms the pregnancy loss and explains the limits of continued treatment.
  • No Heartbeat — The Gynaecologist says the embryo no longer has a heartbeat.
  • Treatment Break — After four unsuccessful attempts, the couple is advised to reconsider and take a break.
• Seaside Vacation — Alice and Niklas try to spend a holiday with another family while carrying their private grief.
  • Family Gathering — Christl, Romed, Denise, and David vacation near the sea with the couple.
  • Financial Pressure — Niklas asks for a 15,000-euro increase to his credit limit.
• Children Nearby — The other family's children and disagreements form part of the vacation's social backdrop.
  • Denise Plays — Denise is energetic and eager to swim and play.
  • David Withdraws — David spends much of his time indoors studying, frustrating Romed.
• Climb Invitation — Romed's proposed climb takes place alongside Alice and Niklas's unsettled vacation.
  • Romed Invites Niklas — Romed encourages Niklas to join him on a via ferrata climb.
  • Alice Hesitates — Alice is uneasy about the plan but agrees to go along.
• Private Grief Shared — Alice speaks openly about the pregnancy loss and a painful memory from the clinic.
  • Alice Confides — She tells Romed about the loss and the couple's uncertainty about having children.
  • Heartbeat Memory — She tells Niklas that she briefly saw a heartbeat before looking away.
• Marital Confrontation — The couple's grief turns into a direct argument about intimacy and fertility.
  • Intimacy Dispute — Alice accuses Niklas of avoiding intimacy and fearing he cannot cause a pregnancy.
  • Blame and Fracture — Niklas blames nature and his sperm; the argument escalates and a glass breaks.
• Unresolved Departure — Niklas leaves after the argument, and the couple's future remains unsettled.
  • Niklas Storms Out — He leaves after the confrontation.
  • Drive Away — He drives away with music playing on the radio.

Directed by

Ulrike Kofler

Key Cast

• Lavinia Wilson — Alice
• Elyas M'Barek — Niklas
• Anna Unterberger — Christl
• Lukas Spisser — Romed
• Iva Höpperger — Denise