Hape Kerkeling Returns: Horst Schlämmer’s Search for Happiness – A Film That Feels Like Coming Home
There he is again, with a tie that looks like it’s been chewed by a dog, and the charm of a slightly outdated family gathering: Hape Kerkeling is breathing new life into his iconic role, Horst Schlämmer. If you thought the self-proclaimed “internet millionaire” from Grevenbroich was just a fleeting campaign gag with his famous line “Isch kandidiere!”, you’d be dead wrong. This new film proves that this quirky, unapologetic, and wonderfully honest character has long since cemented itself 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 from his usual stomping grounds. We’re talking big emotions, an unexpected inheritance, and of course, the eternal quest for true happiness. The subtitle “Isch kandidiere!” is a clever choice, because as always with Kerkeling, it’s never just about pure slapstick. Beneath that wild wig and the Rhenish dialect lies a sharp social satire. We see Horst in situations that are way over his head – and it’s precisely this that makes him irresistibly authentic. Angelo Colagrossi, who also helmed Kerkeling’s successful project “Ein Mann, ein Fjord!”, knows better than anyone how to give these characters room to breathe without overdoing it.
If you were at the cinemas in the days following the premiere, you’d have seen this phenomenon first-hand: the big fan turnout, the genuine affection. This wasn’t some star-studded, exclusive premiere; it was a down-to-earth meet-up with the audience. And that’s exactly what Horst Schlämmer is all about. He’s the anti-star who doesn’t pander. Hape Kerkeling himself once put it perfectly: it’s about not sucking up to those above 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 Catch This in Theatres:
- Authentic Comedy: No forced humour here – just characters that feel like they’re straight out of real life.
- Perfect Timing: In times of political madness, a character like Horst Schlämmer – who fails but still gives it his all – is almost therapeutic.
- Hape Kerkeling at His Best: He delivers a masterclass in reviving a character decades later and discovering new facets to them.
“Horst Schlämmer – Isch kandidiere!” isn’t some pretentious film trying to be a major blockbuster. It’s a homecoming. A reunion with an old friend who leaves you with a grin on your face after 90 minutes. And maybe 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 top-notch entertainment.
So, grab your loved ones and get ready for some Rhenish charm and a bit of chaos. The cinemas are packed – and rightfully so. If you saw the buzz in Leipzig, you know: Horst is back. And that’s a seriously good thing for comedy.