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First Person Savior

*Starring John Karyus (V/H/S2, A Blind Bargain, Poultrygeist) and James Duval (Donnie Darko, Nowhere, Sushi Girl)

Caught between a thankless job with cruel co-workers and a surreal home life consisting of video games, fast food and insomnia, Abe finds out that he has a higher purpose. No matter what, violence is never the answer though.

_________

An American tragi-comedy birthed by video games, guns, poverty, mental illness and nature.

A psychological horror odyssey into the realm of the fantastic both within and without...

"FIRST PERSON SAVIOR"

A new film by Ramzi Abed

Abe Loman (John Karyus) is a lonely yet enigmatic middle-aged American male of European descent, and his days seem to just repeat themselves until something changes. Caught between a thankless job with cruel co-workers and a surreal home life consisting of video games, fast food and insomnia, Abe finds out that he has a higher purpose. What follows is a test of character and of patience, as the very fabric of what is real and what is a daydream breaks down further. Salvation is reached, and peace is the ultimate finale in this timely satire.

Special supporting role by James Duval (Donnie Darko, Nowhere, Independence Day).

  • Ramzi Abed
    Director
    The Devil's Muse, In A Spiral State, Telephone World
  • Ramzi Abed
    Writer
    The Devil's Muse, In A Spiral State, Telephone World
  • Ramzi Abed
    Producer
    The Devil's Muse, In A Spiral State, Telephone World
  • John Karyus
    Key Cast
    "Abe Loman"
    Foxfur, Dust Up, Las Vegas Frankenstein
  • James Duval
    Key Cast
    "Tragedy"
    The Doom Generation, Donnie Darko, Sushi Girl
  • Chad Meisenheimer
    Key Cast
    "Darryl"
  • Dawn Wirth
    Key Cast
    "Mother"
  • Erica Libonati
    Key Cast
    "Mary"
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Feature, Other
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 20 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 3, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    7,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • FESTIVAL ANGAELICA
    Pasadena
    United States
    December 25, 2025
    Online (December 2025)
  • Culver City Film Festival
    Culver City
    United States
    December 10, 2025
    Culver City Premiere
    Best Sound (Feature Film)
  • IFS Film Fest / LA Film Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    May 14, 2025
    West Coast Premiere
    Best Experimental Film Award
  • Silicon Beach Film Festival
    Hollywood
    United States
    September 11, 2025
    Hollywood Premiere
    Best Actor (Feature Film)
  • Shawna Shea Film Festival
    Worcester, MA
    United States
    July 16, 2025
    Best Patreon Feature Film Award
  • Massachusetts Independent Film Festival
    Worcester, MA
    United States
    April 2, 2025
    Massachusetts Premiere
    Winner - Mass Indie Spirit Award
  • Amazing Fantasy Fest
    Buffalo
    United States
    September 15, 2024
    World Premiere
    Persistence Of Vision Award - Ramzi Abed
  • Amazing Fantasy Fest
    Buffalo
    Switzerland
    September 15, 2024
    World Premiere
    Bill Brown Award (for Acting) - John Karyus
  • Lausanne Underground Film & Music Festival
    Lausanne
    United States
    Honorable Mention
  • Shock-A-Go-Go Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    Poland
    May 18, 2024
    Sneak Preview
    Best Actor - John Karyus
  • Polish International Film Festival

    Poland
    Sneak Preview
Director Biography - Ramzi Abed

Ramzi Abed is a human visual artist and filmmaker based on Planet Earth.

Ramzi Abed has always been a champion of fiercely independent and underground film and video; and has worked in film acquisitions for over a decade, always focused on fostering new talent and creating new avenues for new generations of filmmakers. He also worked in post-production for years off and on, mostly as a Post-Production Supervisor. Ramzi wrote and directed the microbudget independent thrillers, "The Devil’s Muse" and "Telephone World", which both went on to become cult films over the years, both garnering broad releases on home video and streaming channels including Netflix and Tubi. His film, "The Devil's Muse" (starring Kristen Kerr, Julie Strain, Gidget Gein, Cinque Lee, Robert Williams), streamed on Netflix for nearly two years and was distributed by Cinetic Media, Gunpowder and Sky, and Halo 8 Entertainment respectively in digital and home video formats. "Telephone World" (starring Elissa Dowling), on the other hand, is still streaming on Cineverse and also Tubi where it has been for several years after its release on DVD through Cinema Epoch. Meanwhile, his lo-fi found footage video thriller, "Clay Fields," found a streaming home at TromaNow, along with "The Devil's Muse" (and "Telephone World"). Both are currently available to watch at TromaNow and the director's Vimeo page.

Abed's film work has been distributed and also screened at numerous film festivals over the years. His short film, "The Tunnel", was edited by renowned filmmaker, David Lowery ("A Ghost Story", "The Green Knight)", and starred co-writer Casey Wickson, Lloyd Kaufman ("The Toxic Avenger"), and Mark Borchardt ("American Movie", "Coven"). The Super 16mm film went on to screen at many festivals all over the world.

Ramzi recently directed the music video for "A Free Society", the title song from the debut album by Night Crickets, a jazzy post-punk supergroup comprised of David J Haskins (of Bauhaus, Love and Rockets) and Victor De Lorenzo (of Violent Femmes) and renowned musician, Darwin Meiners. Abed's film work has been distributed and also screened at numerous film festivals over the years.

Ramzi has worked in practically every area of filmmaking that exists, and has created an interesting if controversial legacy that transcends genre and industry. He is actively developing new projects, listening to records, painting, drawing and taking photographs in his spare time.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I have been wanting to make a film with an important message that resonates with society today, and it took practically ten years for the fully formed story to take hold. This film is a social satire and message of both empathy and forgiveness that goes beyond political and demographic ties. The issues of gun violence and social isolation in today's world, compounded by economics and the growing addiction to violent video games and culture, were a significant source of inspiration for this film. Hopefully people will walk away more respectful of human life after seeing this film. And hopefully they will also notice the presence and juxtaposition of nature against the story's characters. Nature will take us all in the end. Love one another, and let's make this world a more loving place.