Hape Kerkeling Returns: Horst Schlämmer Searches for Happiness – A Film That Feels Like Coming Home

There he stands once more, with a tie that looks like it’s been chewed by a dog and the charm of a family gathering that’s seen better days: Hape Kerkeling breathes new life into his signature role Horst Schlämmer. If you thought the self-proclaimed “internet millionaire” from Grevenbroich and his famous cry “Isch kandidiere!” (I’m running!) was just a fleeting campaign stunt, you couldn’t be more wrong. The new film proves this quirky, uncompromising character, wonderfully honest in his own way, has long since cemented his place in our collective memory – and now he’s taking over the big screen.

One Man, One Fjord – and a Whole Lot of Schlämmer

This time, our anti-hero’s journey takes him far outside his usual comfort zone. It’s a story about deep feelings, an unexpected inheritance, and of course, the eternal pursuit of happiness. The subtitle “Isch kandidiere!” is a clever choice because, as with everything Kerkeling does, it’s never just pure slapstick. Beneath the wild wig and the Rhineland dialect lies a sharp social satire. We see Horst in situations that completely overwhelm him – and it’s precisely in those moments that his irresistible authenticity shines. Angelo Colagrossi, who was also behind Kerkeling’s successful project “Ein Mann, ein Fjord!” (One Man, One Fjord!), knows better than most how to give these characters the space they need without overdoing it.

If you were in a cinema lobby in the days following the premiere, you witnessed this phenomenon firsthand: the massive fan turnout, the genuine affection. This wasn’t some glitzy, exclusive premiere; it was a down-to-earth meeting with the audience. That’s exactly what defines Horst Schlämmer. He’s the anti-star who doesn’t try to ingratiate himself. Hape Kerkeling himself put it perfectly: it’s about not sucking up to those above you and not kicking down at those below. And that’s precisely what this film does. It laughs with Horst, not at him. And it holds a mirror up to us without being preachy.

Three Reasons You Need to See This in Theatres:

• Authentic Comedy: No forced humour, just characters who feel genuinely real.
• Perfect Timing: In times of political absurdity, a character like Horst Schlämmer – who stumbles yet keeps pushing forward – is almost therapeutic.
• Hape Kerkeling at His Best: He delivers a masterclass in reviving a character decades later and revealing new facets.

“Horst Schlämmer – Isch kandidiere!” isn’t a lofty cinema production aiming for some grand artistic statement. It’s a homecoming. A reunion with an old friend who leaves you with a grin on your face after 90 minutes. And perhaps with the feeling that it’s okay not to be perfect all the time. That sometimes, just giving it a shot is enough. It’s not just funny; it’s entertainment at its finest.

So, grab your loved ones, and get ready for some Rhineland charm and a bit of chaos. The theatres are packed – and rightly so. Anyone who saw the crowds in Leipzig knows: Horst is back. And that’s one heck of a good thing for comedy.