Hape Kerkeling Returns: Horst Schlämmer Searches for Happiness – A Film Like a Homecoming
There he stands again, with the tie that looks like it’s been chewed by a dog, and the charm of a slightly faded family gathering: Hape Kerkeling breathes new life into his signature role Horst Schlämmer. Anyone who thought the self-proclaimed "internet millionaire" from Grevenbroich was just a fleeting campaign gimmick with his famous cry, "Isch kandidiere!" (I’m running!), is seriously mistaken. The new film proves: this quirky, non-conformist, and wonderfully honest phenomenon in its own right has long since cemented itself in our collective memory – and now it’s taking over the big screen.
A Man, a Fjord – and a Whole Lot of Schlämmer
This time, the story takes our anti-hero far from his usual stomping ground. It’s about big emotions, an unexpected inheritance, and of course, the eternal quest for happiness. The subtitle "Isch kandidiere!" is a clever choice, because as always with Kerkeling, 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 this that makes him irresistibly authentic. Angelo Colagrossi, who was also behind Kerkeling’s successful project "A Man, a Fjord!", has a unique talent for giving these characters the space they need without overdoing it.
Anyone standing in the cinema foyer in the days after the premiere witnessed this phenomenon live: the massive fan turnout, the genuine affection. This wasn’t some exclusive, high-and-mighty premiere; it was a meet-up with the audience on their level. That’s exactly what defines Horst Schlämmer. He’s the anti-star who doesn’t pander. Hape Kerkeling himself summed it up perfectly once: 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 the Cinema:
- Authentic Comedy: No forced humour, but characters that feel genuinely drawn from real life.
- Perfect Timing: In times of political madness, a character like Horst Schlämmer – who fails but keeps on trying – is almost therapeutic.
- Hape Kerkeling on Top Form: He delivers a masterclass in how to revisit a character decades later and discover new facets to them.
"Horst Schlämmer – Isch kandidiere!" isn’t some lofty cinema production chasing after a grand statement. It’s a homecoming. A reunion with an old acquaintance who leaves you with a grin on your face after 90 minutes. And perhaps also with the feeling that it’s okay not to be perfect all the time. That sometimes, just having a go is enough. This isn’t just funny; it’s entertainment at its best.
So, grab your loved ones, brace yourselves for some Rhineland charm and a bit of chaos. The cinemas are packed – and rightly so. If you saw the crowds in Leipzig, you’ll know: Horst is back. And that’s a damn good thing for German comedy.