Reflections

The film Soldiers of Light gives viewers rare insight into the everyday life of the “Reichsbürger” (Reich Citizens). It shows how the structures and beliefs of their ideology shape daily routines and influence people’s thinking.

At the beginning of the discussion, moderator Chiara Valli asked Johannes Büttner, who co-directed the film with Julian but attended the discussion alone, what had inspired him to make the film. He explained that the aim was to discover what unites these people: is it their political opinion, a common goal, or a shared value system? One might also ask what motivates individuals to join such a movement, or what provides fertile ground for these theories.

Stefanie Mahrer, professor of Swiss and modern history, addressed this question. Her research focuses on the emergence of conspiracy theories. She emphasized that whether such theories are considered “new” or “old” depends largely on how we define them. She noted that their popularity has grown in recent years, especially during the pandemic. In uncertain times, when the future is unclear or events seem inexplicable, people often seek something that provides stability and meaning. In the past, religion offered comfort and hope. Today, however, far fewer people are religious, leaving a “void” that conspiracy theories can fill. They offer people what they miss in times of crisis and uncertainty: security and explanations for events that are otherwise difficult to understand.

From my perspective as an audience member, I found this point particularly striking. It helped me realize that conspiracy theories are not only about irrational beliefs, but also about filling emotional and social gaps. This made me reflect on how easily such narratives can appeal to people who feel vulnerable or disoriented.

The documentary introduces David Ekwe Ebobisse, a vegan influencer who is also part of the Reich Citizens movement. What makes his role problematic is not his diet itself, but the way he spreads the group’s far-right ideology and promotes false promises of healing. Together with other members, he runs a vegan restaurant where brochures, books about the movement, and dietary supplements are sold.

A constant presence in this setting is Timo, a young man who joined the Reich Citizens only a few weeks earlier. Like many followers, he has been working in the restaurant without proper pay—helping to renovate the building, pack and sell items, and serve customers. In return, members receive accommodation, free meals, and therapy sessions that are supposed to free them from their “darkness.”

The discussion then turned to how the filmmakers gained access to this environment. Before starting Soldiers of Light, Johannes and Julian had been researching the “self‑optimization bubble,” seeking contact with various life coaches on topics ranging from health and sports to nutrition and financial advice. In this context, they encountered David Ekwe Ebobisse, also known as “Mister Raw,” a vegan influencer and member of the Reich Citizens movement.

A coincidence made deeper access possible: David had attended primary school with Johannes, which allowed them to reconnect. After several meetings, their conversations shifted toward conspiracy theories. One day, while Johannes was at David’s apartment, he observed people constantly coming and going—discussing conspiracy theories, selling products, and promoting ideas. He recalls thinking it looked like something out of a film: “I called Julian and told him we had to set up a camera here, because people wouldn’t believe what was happening,” he explained during the discussion. From that moment, they decided to turn the project into a documentary. Julian’s expertise in documentary filmmaking made the collaboration natural.

During the filming, the directors faced significant challenges. Moderator Chiara Valli asked them how they dealt with the moral stance they had chosen: should the film openly educate viewers by labelling the ideas as conspiracy theories without scientific basis, or should they remain neutral observers? This question highlighted the tension between documentation and intervention.

Johannes explained that he and Julian had agreed on a set of rules to guide the entire project. First, they wanted to communicate openly and honestly with David and the other members of the group about their intentions: what they planned to do with the film, how they were filming it, and that they themselves did not believe in conspiracy theories. Transparency was their highest priority.

Second, they decided that the documentary should consist only of snapshots of everyday life, without a presenter or commentary, and without interference in events. Yet, as the film shows, this principle was not always strictly followed. Timo’s unexpected appearance gradually changed the dynamic of the project: he became the central figure, and both Johannes and Julian felt a personal responsibility for him. At one point, Julian even asked from behind the camera, “How long are you planning to stay here?”—a direct question that revealed how fragile the boundary between documentation and personal involvement could be. Behind the scenes, the filmmakers contacted Timo’s parents and arranged meetings, hoping to support him and explore therapy options.

Over time, Timo’s condition visibly worsened. He appeared increasingly thin and exhausted, a development that contrasted sharply with the group’s promises of healing and self‑improvement. This gradual decline became one of the most striking elements of the documentary, highlighting the human cost of life inside such circles. Even after Timo’s death, his parents wanted the film to serve as a warning, so that others might be spared a similar fate.

From my perspective as an audience member, the scenes with Timo were particularly difficult to watch. One moment that struck me was when David recorded a promotional video with him, claiming that his program had helped Timo gain weight and overcome his “darkness.” On screen, however, Timo appeared thinner than before, with visible signs of exhaustion. The stark contrast between David’s claims and Timo’s decline made these scenes deeply unsettling.

Next, an audience member asked what David and the other Reich Citizens thought of the film. Johannes explained that, to their surprise, David initially liked the documentary. For the filmmakers, this was almost frustrating, because it suggested that he had not reflected critically on his own statements and actions. Later, however, David’s opinion shifted after numerous interviews and public comments about the film. Despite this change, he expressed gratitude that Johannes and Julian had never intended to portray him or anyone else in a negative light. Their goal was simply to show everyday life within the group, which in turn helps viewers understand why people become involved in such a movement and, above all, why it is so difficult to break away from it.

Finally, Chiara Valli announced the end of the discussion and invited Stefanie and Johannes to share a few closing words. Stefanie emphasized the importance of talking to students about conspiracy theories and the dynamics that lead people to join and believe in them, in order to counteract these processes. She explained that her research will continue to focus on conspiracy theories, particularly on how they arise and spread.

Johannes highlighted that it is crucial to recognize that people who end up in such cults and surround themselves with conspiracy theories are still human beings. As a society, we must find ways to offer alternatives that provide the sense of belonging or meaning people are searching for, without resorting to harmful ideologies.

From my perspective as an audience member, this was the most important takeaway. If we approach those affected with fewer prejudices, more people might feel encouraged to seek help when they begin to question the cult or decide they no longer want to be part of it. The discussion therefore underlined two key points: the need for education about conspiracy theories, and the importance of offering supportive alternatives that help people break away from such movements.