Bekenner

Huggard and Bealer are two young American missionaries that are trying to bring Europe back onto the path of Christian virtue. That’s no small task, given that the majority of Europeans are unbelievers and the two young men disagree about their methods. While the pious Huggard is convinced that words alone will do the trick, Bealer, whose temper occasionally gets the better of him, advocates for the power of charity and neighbourly love. When they meet Mario, a junkie and male prostitute, their relationship turns to open conflict. While Huggard is highly sceptical that Mario’s desire to convert is genuine, Bealer allows Mario to live with them, tolerates Mario not only asking them for money but also his generally unorthodox behaviour. Huggard’s faith is put to the test when religious duty and worldly temptation clash head on.

With its quiet sense of irony, delicately crafted characters and extensive use of situational comedy, Andreas Erdmann’s handling of the issues surrounding belief avoids fundamentalism and terrorism. Instead it subtly describes how difficult it is to be good in a world which is increasingly dominated by selfishness.