It’s been suggested to me that Veni Vidi Vici, a social satire with a dark central premise, is something I want to make time for at Sundance. And now I’m starting to see why thanks to the newly-released trailer for Julia Niemann and Daniel Hoesl’s film, which looks like The Hunt meets Succession.
Directed by Niemann and Hoesel with a script by Hoesel, Veni Vidi Vici centers on the billionaire Maynard family, who live their lives completely free from consequences. They are able to do whatever they want thanks to their wealth, including patriarch Amon who is an avid hunter…but doesn’t hunt animals. When the family secret gets out to the community, will there be actual repercussions?
The film stars Laurence Rupp, Ursina Lardi, Dominik Warta, Johanna Orsini, Markus Schleinzer, and Olivia Goschler.
In a statement, Hoesl talks about the inspiration for the film and the very real feelings behind it…
“The situation is serious,” Hoesl said. “To create a parable, you have to exaggerate, paradoxically enough. I remember Donald Trump saying he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue, and it wouldn’t stop people voting for him.”
And now I know why people think I would like this. It deals with awful, rich, entitled people running wild with no consequences, and may or may not get what’s coming to them. One year ago at Sundance this is a core theme of Infinity Pool, one of my favorite films ever at the festival.
Hopefully, Veni Vidi Vici will get distribution following its Sundance premiere later this month.
