Benjamin Myers' Jesus Christ Kinski is an unflinching dive into the maelstrom that was Klaus Kinski's psyche. This audacious novella re-creates the 1971 debacle of 'Jesus Christ Saviour', a theatrical monologue that imploded at Berlin's Deutschlandhalle arena, as Kinski clashed with his own demons – and those in the audience.
The enfant terrible of German cinema, Kinski was known for his combustible ego, explosive temper, and an inability to keep his fury in check. His doomed performance saw him cast himself as a messiah, only to be met by a chorus of hecklers demanding refunds. The novella's audiobook rendition, brought to life by the inimitable Rory Kinnear, injects unbridled energy into Kinski's raging tirades – including his infamous retort: "I am a genius, you piece of s**t!"
Kinski's turbulent career was marked by collaborations with Werner Herzog on classics like 'Aguirre, the Wrath of God' and 'Fitzcarraldo'. Herzog would later document Kinski's erratic behaviour in 'My Best Fiend', highlighting the fraught relationship between the two. In his own memoirs, Kinski confessed to harbouring fantasies of Herzog's demise – a testament to the deep-seated animosity that defined their bond.
'Jesus Christ Kinski' masterfully weaves together Kinski's public meltdown with recollections from his early life and work with Herzog. Myers also shares sections where he contemplates the thorny issues surrounding his project, offering an unvarnished look at the writing process and the debates surrounding giving a platform to complex historical figures.
Myers' novella is a captivating, if unsettling, exploration of Kinski's impact on screen – and off. It prompts reflection on the very nature of genius, the limits of artistic expression, and how society navigates the problematic legacies of those who left an indelible mark on our collective cultural consciousness.