Many times, we find ourselves wishing for justice to prevail in a world where the powerful seem untouchable. The satirical film, “Veni Vidi Vici,” directed by Daniel Hoesl and Julia Niemann, takes a sharp look at a family so influential that they can commit murder without consequence. This biting satire, which premiered at Sundance and Rotterdam, dissects the Maynard clan’s extraordinary power and their disregard for human life.
“We wanted to tell this story from the perspective of Maynard’s teenage daughter, because that might be our future. They will be in power, owning everything we care about, unless we do something about it,” says Niemann. The film prompts us to question why these individuals, who leave behind a trail of evidence, are not called out for their actions. The filmmakers draw attention to the existence of more individuals like Jeffrey Epstein, who exploit their power and remain unchecked.
Hoesl and Niemann, the creative minds behind “Veni Vidi Vici” and the thought-provoking “Davos,” have been researching the lives of the ultra-rich for years. This topic is not a passing trend for them; it’s an issue deeply rooted in society. “To us, it’s not ‘fashionable.’ We both have a working-class background, so it has always been an issue, and the divide in society is just getting bigger,” says Hoesl.
The film explores the lives of billionaires who operate in the shadows, quietly accumulating more power. The directors express their intrigue for those who prefer to remain discreet, yet constantly seek to gain more influence. “We really know this world, and it doesn’t stop being interesting. There have been many films about it in recent years – think about ‘Joker’ or ‘Parasite’ – but most of the time, it’s a call to ‘kill the rich.’ In our film, the rich will kill you,” warns Hoesl.
Despite the dark subject matter, “Veni Vidi Vici” does not shy away from injecting humor into its narrative. Many scenes are actually inspired by real-life situations. “Reality can be so close to satire,” remarks Hoesl. The filmmakers draw examples from their own country, Austria, where an ex-chancellor has transitioned into a lobbyist for questionable billionaires. This film challenges the audience to react and acknowledges that it’s up to us to hold the elite accountable.
“Veni Vidi Vici” carries a bold and uncompromising tone. It challenges conventional boundaries and refuses to be safe. As Niemann says, “Maybe humor is the funniest when it’s not safe? And if you can say one thing about our film, it’s that it’s not safe.”
Image: “Veni Vidi Vici” – Courtesy of Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion
Source: Variety