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

Here he is again, with that tie that looks like a dog chewed on it, and the charm of a slightly worn-out family get-together: Hape Kerkeling breathes new life into his signature role, Horst Schlämmer. If you thought the self-proclaimed “internet millionaire” from Grevenbroich was just a fleeting election campaign gag with his famous cry of “Isch kandidiere!” (I’m running!), you couldn't be more wrong. The new film proves that this quirky, unconventional, and wonderfully honest character in his own unique way has long since cemented itself in our collective memory – and now, he’s taking over the big screen.

A Man, a Fjord – and Plenty of Schlämmer

This time, the story takes our anti-hero far from his usual stomping grounds. It’s about big emotions, an unexpected inheritance, and, of course, the eternal pursuit of happiness. The subtitle “Isch kandidiere!” is a clever choice because, as with all of Kerkeling’s work, it’s never just pure slapstick. Beneath that wild wig and the Rhenish dialect lies sharp social satire. We see Horst in situations where he’s completely out of his depth – and it’s precisely in that struggle that his irresistible authenticity shines. Angelo Colagrossi, who was also behind Kerkeling’s successful project “Ein Mann, ein Fjord!” (A Man, a Fjord!), understands like no other how to give these characters the space they need without overdoing them.

If you were in a cinema hall in the days following the premiere, you’d have seen it live: the massive fan rush, the genuine affection. This wasn’t some exclusive, elitist premiere; it was a meeting with the audience on equal footing. And that’s exactly what defines Horst Schlämmer. He’s the anti-star who never tries to ingratiate himself. Hape Kerkeling himself once put it perfectly: it’s about never sucking up to those above you or kicking down at those below. And that’s precisely what this film does. It laughs *with* Horst, not *at* him. It holds a mirror up to us without being preachy.

Three Reasons You Need to Catch This in Theatres:

• Authentic Comedy: No forced humour here. These are characters that feel genuinely real and relatable.
• Perfect Timing: In these times of political absurdity, a character like Horst Schlämmer – who fails spectacularly yet keeps pushing forward – feels almost therapeutic.
• Hape Kerkeling at His Best: He delivers a masterclass in how to revisit a character decades later and find new, compelling dimensions within them.

“Horst Schlämmer – Isch kandidiere!” isn’t a highbrow cinema production striving for some grand, lofty achievement. It feels like a visit home. A reunion with an old acquaintance who leaves you with a grin on your face after 90 minutes. And perhaps also with the comforting feeling that it’s perfectly okay not to be perfect all the time. That sometimes, just giving something a go is enough. This isn’t just funny; it’s entertainment at its finest.

So, grab your loved ones, get ready for some Rhenish charm and a bit of chaos. The cinemas are packed – and for good reason. If you witnessed the crowds in Leipzig, you know: Horst is back. And that is one fantastic bit of news for comedy lovers.