Luzifer (film)
Luzifer is a 2021 Austrian drama and horror film. Produced by Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion, directed by Peter Brunner, distributed by Film Republic, London, the film stars Susanne Jensen and Franz Rogowski. The world premiere was in August 2021 at the Locarno Filmfestival. The North America premiere of Luzifer took place in September 2021 in Austin, Texas, at Fantastic Fest. There Franz Rogowski received the award for the best actor for his role as "Johannes". In October 2021, Rogowski was awarded Best Actor for this role ex-aequo with Caleb Landrey Jones (Nitram) at the Sitges Filmfestival. Also Susanne  Jensen was awarded Best Actress for her role as "Maria" ex-aequo with Noomi Rapace (Lamb) at the Sitges Filmfestival. Plot. Maria (Susanne Jensen) lives secluded in the mountains with her mentally handicapped adult son Johannes (Franz Rogowski). Her husband died. Their everyday life is determined by religious rituals and familiarity. Johannes' best friend is the eagle Arthur. When the area is to be converted into a ski resort, the devil awakens. Maria tries to protect her son. Faith, trust, powerlessness and childishness become an explosive mixture. Is an exorcism the solution? Where is the devil? Inspired by a true  story, Luzifer is a drama, horror film and an anti-exorcism film. Reception. After the world premiere in Locarno Festival in August 2021, Luzifer was positively received in Spanish, French and English press.  Martin Kudlac writes: "The sociopathic mother is raising a psychopathic son. Luzifer is a modern-day Frankenstein, where boundaries between moral and amoral have been blurred by a distorted interpretation of a strict religious doctrine." After permiere in North America at the Fantastic Fest in Austin, where Franz Rogowski was awarded best actor for Luzifer, Adam Symchuk notes that because of its beauty, tragedy and love of  nature in all the destruction, the film as a powerful piece of cinema deserves a wider audience than is usual in arthouse productions. Susanne Jensen and Franz Rogowski would give a career-defining appearance as mother and son. At the Sitges Filmfest, Susanne Jensen and Franz Rogowski are awarded best actress and best actor for their performance in Luzifer. There is no date for the worldwide cinema release yet. In Germany, the cinema release is on April 28, 2021. The Film is also part of the Filmfest in Belgrad, the Pendance Filmfest in Toronto, Canada and the Fantasy Film Fest  in six german cities.