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

So there he is again, with that tie that looks like it’s been through the wringer and the charm of a slightly stale family gathering: Hape Kerkeling breathes new life into his signature role, Horst Schlämmer. Anyone who thought the self-proclaimed “internet millionaire” from Grevenbroich was nothing more than a fleeting election campaign gag with his famous cry of “Isch kandidiere!” is in for a big surprise. This new film proves that this wonderfully awkward, stubbornly unique and refreshingly honest character has long since lodged itself in our collective memory – and now he’s taking over the big screen.

A Man, a Fjord – and Schlämmer in Abundance

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

Anyone who stood in the cinema foyer in the days after the premiere witnessed this phenomenon live: the huge turnout of fans, the genuine affection. This wasn’t some starry-eyed, red-carpet affair; it was a meeting with the audience on a level playing field. That’s exactly what defines Horst Schlämmer. He’s the anti-star who never tries to ingratiate himself. Hape Kerkeling himself once summed it up perfectly: it’s about not sucking up to those above you and not kicking down at those below. And that’s exactly what this film does. It laughs with Horst, never at him. And it holds a mirror up to us without ever being preachy.

Three reasons you need to get yourself to the cinema:

• Authentic comedy: No forced humour here, just characters that feel like they’ve walked straight out of real life.
• Perfect timing: In these times of political madness, a character like Horst Schlämmer – someone who fails but keeps on trying – feels genuinely therapeutic.
• Hape Kerkeling at his best: He puts on a masterclass in how to revive a character after decades and uncover new facets within them.

“Horst Schlämmer – Isch kandidiere!” isn’t some lofty cinematic production aiming for high art. It’s a trip home. A reunion with an old acquaintance who, after 90 minutes, leaves you with a grin on your face. And perhaps also with the feeling that it’s okay not to be perfect all the time. That sometimes, just giving it a go is enough. That’s not just funny; it’s entertainment in the best sense of the word.

So, grab your loved ones, prepare yourself for some Rhineland charm and a bit of chaos. The cinemas are packed – and rightly so. Anyone who witnessed the buzz in Leipzig knows: Horst is back. And that’s a bloody good thing for German comedy.