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Jesus Egon Christus

Jesus Egon Christ
Perspektive Deutsches Kino 2021
© vajda film UG
Somewhere on the outskirts of Berlin, a self-proclaimed priest is preaching to a group of people with addiction and mental-health problems in a run-down building that houses a psychosocial support group. A recent arrival at the facility, which aims to be both a home and a religious community for its residents, is Egon, who is struggling with a psychotic disorder. He cannot sleep, refuses to help on the farm, won’t wash, and has trouble following the priest’s instructions. More than once, the pastor crosses a line and humiliates his charges. For most people here, turning to religion is something of a last chance, affording them some kind of support. Egon, however, claims to have conversations with Jesus in which the latter condones his defiant behaviour. His attempt to take the Messiah at his word and understand his miracles eventually propels Egon deeper and deeper into his psychosis.
Through Egon’s eyes, directing duo David and Saša Vajda depicts a community of careworn and scarred fellow sufferers whose stories make tangible the terrible reality behind the film’s fiction. An intimate observational drama about a group of heroin addicts in withdrawal and the loneliness of psychosis.

Trailer/Film Excerpt

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by David Vajda (Written and Directed by), Saša Vajda (Written and Directed by)
with Paul Arámbula, Sascha Alexander Geršak, Roxanna Stewens, Benjamin Stein, Zora Schemm, Angelo Martone Germany 2021 German 51' Colour

Part of the Berlinale Summer Special

With

  • Paul Arámbula (Egon)
  • Sascha Alexander Geršak (The Pastor)
  • Roxanna Stewens (Jenny)
  • Benjamin Stein (Ben)
  • Zora Schemm (Pinky)
  • Angelo Martone (Angelo)

Crew

Written and Directed by David Vajda, Saša Vajda
Cinematography Antonia Lange
Editing David Vajda, Saša Vajda, Benjamin Mirguet
Sound Design Jan Brett
Sound Max Hartstang
Production Design Lili Avar, Christina Chelaru
Costumes Christina Schmitt
Make-Up Saskia Wegner
Assistant Director Georg Mikis Rees
Casting David Vajda, Saša Vajda
Production Manager Milena Flemisch
Producer David Vajda

Produced by

vajda film UG

Berlin, Germany

Photos

Berlinale Meets | Interview

David Vajda

© Saša Vajda

Born in Munich, Germany in 1989, he studied philosophy at University College, London and international politics at the University of Cambridge. His literary and journalistic writing has featured in publications including “The Guardian”, the literary magazine “Edit”, the “FT Magazine” and the magazine “Reportagen”. He currently lives and works in Berlin.

Filmography (co-director: Saša Vajda)

2017 Hunny Bunny; short film 2021 Jesus Egon Christus; medium-length film

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2021

Saša Vajda

© Elena Peters Arnolds

Born in Munich, Germany in 1986. After graduating with a philosophy degree from the Sorbonne in Paris, he has worked as a freelance photographer, writer and filmmaker. He has worked on a documentary for the BBC about refugees. His photographs have featured in publications such as the quarterly magazine “Dummy”.

Filmography (co-director: David Vajda)

2017 Hunny Bunny; short film 2021 Jesus Egon Christus; medium-length film

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2021