Luzifer

"Every day we stray further from God's light" may be a 'meme-able' saying, but it is one that is none-the-less true when we look at a mix of contempt and disinterest in institutionalized belief that is more prominent than ever. Yet, the interest in exploring faith through cinema seems ever present as religious horror is still an eminent subgenre - evident from Fantastic Fest screening other religious themed horrors such as Agnes, Exorcism of God and Eyes of Fire. However, Peter Brunner's Luzifer proves to be a unique beast, a dark mediation on religious fervor, isolation and mistreatment of nature.

While the direction and vision of Brunner makes the production a complete success, Susanne Jensen and Franz Rogowski give career defining performances as mother and son. In particular, Rogowski navigates the tricky territory of portraying someone with a severe learning disability, let alone a simple-minded individual managing the complexities of sexual guilt and religious fear. Overall, it is a remarkable performance to witness: the two play off of each other and fully commit to the life of these outsiders.

Deeply engrossing and tragically beautiful, Luzifer is a powerful piece of cinema that begs for a wider audience. Sadly, with the current state of A24-esque productions being considered the peak of arthouse cinema among the masses, productions like this seem more likely to get lost in the hype of other films making the rounds at festival season. Make no mistake, Luzifer is a beautifully realized experience that deserves similar accolades from the 'A24 vibes' crowd - give this one a shot.

Just checked out the trailer again after I saw this rough and daring movie at Locarno. Variety teased it as an reimagination of a true story of an innocent, Kaspar Hauser-like man with the heart of a child.

I have to say Herzogs "Kasper Hauser" was strang and beautiful and silly. This one is more like an Ed Gein character from a "Psycho", or François Truffaut "The Wild Child" from planet Eagle language.

I love the meditative space the story generated and circled and circeld to a point of no return and true emotion. If you're up for real emotions and a horror coming from real life: this is your popcon bite!

Disturbingly brilliant film, thoughtfully narrating how men not only privatize and destroy nature, but imitate the powers of other animals to rule others. The film puts into perspective how much technological progress is a man-made imitation of God, portraying the Antichrist (Luzifer - the fallen Angel) laughing at him and mocking him.

A man in his thirties, innocent as a child and always obedient to his mother, lives apart from modern society with her in a remote hut in the Alps. An eagle, with its all-seeing eye, is his only faithful friend. As ski resort wants to be built on their land. They could be "rich," but they sense it is a trap and won't give it up at any price. And it gets veeery dark.. dark as in "you want it to end soon" type of film. It's enchanting and horrible.

The film juxtaposes religion as well as technology in a spiritual context as man-made constructs that have been modified to govern over others. A family obedient and devoted to the faith of Christ compete in a non-violent spiritual fashion against human-controlled drones - as in eagles without free will, with brainwashed men behind them, following their masters.

The film is about the constant cicle of abuse throughout the existance of the human being descending from a catholic hegemony. Furthermore portrayed by the reality of the world today, the film depicts a devine surrender to what you believe to be "true".

Although I've witnessed about 30 people walking out of the theatre while watching the films Premiere at the Locarno Film Festival, I feel that the film truly makes great way to generate some really interesting discussions with the audience, uncomfortable as they may be (even if you have them with yourself).

Ulrich Seidl has once again proven that he remained a producer (be it his movies or those of others) which makes films about real people and their real stories. Susanne Jensen (the mother) does a fantastic job in her role. Keep in mind that much of her personal life is fragmented in this picture.

Hats off to Franz Rogowski (main charcter), reminding me of Joaquin Phoenix in Joker as he owns his character so skillful and elgantly (he has an eagle for a friend most of the time).

A deeply poetic film that cripples the belief of our shared cloud of knowledge ( = the Internet ), questioning what we TRULY believe in ( as in our own higher "power").

I thought it would rise to retaliation against outsiders. Unexpectedly, the story continued between mother and son and myself. It was boring and wasted a good theme.

There's the baby/devil - now I will not bother going through my mind or my thoughts for this sentence that is one of the most used ones in the movie. There are not too many things that are being said, but this will stay with you. And the movie might stay with you too. I know that the manchild character certainly will. And while I am not the biggest fan of the specific actor, he did a great job portraying that said character.

The location is great and the sound design helps elevate this for all arthouse lovers. The mother character seems to not have done much in the acting world, but that is nothing that actually matters when it comes to the movie. It may even have been freeing for the director to see her spread her wings - no pun intended to other creatures who actually do this.

There are many things that get touched upon here - and again, if you see a pun here, I love the way you're thinking but try to get your head out of there. Trying to get ones head out of society - one of the themes. Which is hard all things considering - like having electricity and relying on a lot of people - not just God. The devil can be everywhere or you will be able to see him everywhere, if you look hard enough.

Also while we are never told how long the two have been living there, the fact they still use things from the modern world might be an indicator. The kid (man) who seems lost - and he wouldn't fare better in the "real" world, has been led to believe a few things. He only knows his mother and a handful of other people. He really does a great job - but the movie takes its sweet time. Something you can either get down with or be annoyed by. The movie still is able to deliver one final punch that is quite exhilarating. Certain (religious) things are hammered into the viewer, others are done with more subtlety. There is a strange mix going on here, that some will love because ... you know art.

But I am certain the director had a clear vision of what he wanted to make and he knows there is an audience for this kind of stuff. Those who will love it, will absolutely adore it ... but a lot will be just bored by it. Symbolisms and slow pacing are up for grabs ... sort of.