AXOLOTL OVERKILL, the debut feature from writer/director Helene Hegemann, had its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival in the World Dramatic Competition program,

Hegemann makes an astonishingly accomplished and stylish debut feature, at the young age of 24. She has written two novels, including the controversial German best seller Axolotl Roadkill, which she wrote and published at the age of 17. Hegemann has also directed award-winning work in theatre and opera. We had a chance to talk to her, here it is:

Helene Hegemann talks with Art Shrian, about her film ACXOLOTL OVERKILL, women in films and more at Sundance 2017

AXOLOTL OVERKILL is a tightly and kinetically edited tale of youthful excess and exuberance. It follows Mifti (Jasna Fritzi Bauer in a breakthrough performance), a beautiful and reckless 16-year-old girl who's mother recently died. Having no use for peers her own age and being aware of the sexual power she wields with her looks and youth, she immerses herself in a world of adults of questionable character, testing the limits through the Berlin nightlife and extreme partying.

Mifti, age 16, lives in Berlin with a cast of characters including her half-siblings; their rich, self-involved father; and her junkie friend Ophelia. As she mourns her recently deceased mother, she begins to develop an obsession with Alice, an enigmatic, and much older, white-collar criminal.

Directed/written by: Helene Hegemann
Cast: Jasna Fritzi Bauer, Arly Jover, Mavie Hörbiger, Laura Tonke, Hans Löw, Bernhard Schütz

Synopsis:
Mifti is a beautiful and reckless 16-year-old girl. Her mother is dead, and her wealthy, eccentric father is too self-absorbed to be responsible for her. Mifti has no use for peers her own age, and being aware of the sexual power she wields with her looks and youth, she immerses herself in a world of adults of questionable character. Lovesick over an elusive older woman, she strikes up a friendship with Ophelia, an actress, and together they test the limits through Berlin nightlife and extreme partying.