GOD IS A BEETLE
Film - New German Cinema Filmfest 2022

GOD IS A BEETLE

Directed by Felix Herrmann

Info

Director: Felix Herrmann
Section: New German Cinema
Country: Germany
Year: 2022
PT: GOTT IST EIN KÄFER
OT: GOTT IST EIN KÄFER
Language: German
Version: Original version with English subtitles
Cast: Hassan Akkouch, Amelle Schwerk, Süheyla Ünlü, Jakob Defant
18+ (no age rating)

Logline

A precisely crafted hybrid film about deep questions of faith that effortlessly forges a new path of diversity for German cinema.

After studying graphic design, Aline is reluctantly starting her practical training as an art teacher. When her boyfriend leaves her on top of that, she runs off to live with her parents in the countryside. In this moment of crisis, she encounters a Catholic priest who is able to talk about faith outside of religion. Aline is intrigued, but remains critical. Benjamin is a student trainee at a major newspaper, but had always wanted to be a novelist. He’s disappointed with the way his life has turned out. Searching for a progressive side to Christianity, he hopes to find comfort and perhaps some new possibilities. Then Benjamin notices Aline in an Orthodox church in Munich and approaches her.

Meet the director

GOD IS A BEETLE

Felix Herrmann

Born in Munich in 1988, Felix Herrmann studied history, theology, and Iranian studies in Berlin. Since 2013 he has been studying documentary film directing at the University of Television and Film Munich (HFF). In 2017/18 he attended the ENS Louis Lumière in Paris. With Jakob Defant, he made ROHDIAMANTEN, which was nominated for the Deutscher Kurzfilmpreis and invited to various festivals. A collaboration with Camille Tricaud resulted in the films LES SAUVAGES (co-directed) and DEAD DUCKS (directed by Camille Tricaud), which was screened at various festivals, including IDFF Jihlava and Côté Court Pantin. They also collaborated on the cinematography for WHICH WAY TO THE WEST by Kristina Kilian, which received the 3sat sponsorship award in Oberhausen. Herrmann’s next film as director, DIE TINTE TROCKNET NICHT, was entered in the Next Generation Short Tiger in Cannes, the international competition in Clermont-Ferrand, and the national competition in Dresden. The film had further screenings at the Berlinale and the Max-Ophüls-Preis. Herrmann received his second nomination for the Deutscher Kurzfilmpreis for DIE TINTE TROCKNET NICHT.

Credits

Screenplay: Felix Herrmann
Director of Photography: Rita Hajjar
Film Editor: Mila Zhluktenko
Composer: Joseph Defant
Production Designer: Lena Müller, Luisa Rauschert
Costume Design: Andrea Tzelepides
Sound: Diego Oliva, Cornelia Böhm, Daniel A. Faezi, Jakob Defant, Lukas Röder
Sound design: Marcus Huber
Producer: Eva-Maria Hartmann, Felix Herrmann
Production Company: Iana Film GmbH
Co-Producer: Seren Sahin, Aylin Kockler
Co-Production Company: Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München