Hape Kerkeling Returns: Horst Schlämmer Searches for Happiness – A Film That Feels Like Coming Home
There he stands once again, with a tie that looks like it's been chewed on by a dog, and the charm of a slightly faded family gathering: 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 campaign gag with his famous cry, “Isch kandidiere!” (I’m running!), you couldn't be more wrong. The new film proves it: this quirky, unapologetic, and wonderfully honest phenomenon has long since cemented its place in our collective memory—and now it’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 quest for happiness. The subtitle “Isch kandidiere!” is a clever choice because, as always with Kerkeling, it’s never just pure slapstick. Beneath that wild wig and the Rhine dialect lies a sharp satire of society. We see Horst in situations where he’s completely out of his depth—and that’s precisely where his irresistible authenticity lies. Angelo Colagrossi, who was also behind Kerkeling’s hit project “Ein Mann, ein Fjord!”, knows better than anyone how to give these characters the space they need without overdoing it.
If you stood in the theater lobby after the premiere, you experienced this phenomenon firsthand: the huge turnout of fans, the genuine affection. This wasn’t some exclusive, stuffy premiere; it was a down-to-earth gathering with the audience. And that’s exactly what defines Horst Schlämmer. He’s the anti-star who doesn’t try 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 precisely what this film does. It laughs with Horst, not at him. And it holds up a mirror to us without being preachy.
Three Reasons You Need to See This in Theaters:
- Authentic Comedy: No forced humor, just characters that feel like they were pulled straight from real life.
- Perfect Timing: In times of political insanity, a character like Horst Schlämmer—who fails but keeps pushing forward—is downright cathartic.
- Hape Kerkeling at His Best: He delivers a masterclass in picking up a character after decades and finding new layers to explore.
“Horst Schlämmer – Isch kandidiere!” isn’t some highbrow film aiming for a grand slam. It’s a homecoming. A reunion with an old friend that leaves you with a grin on your face after 90 minutes. And maybe with the feeling that it’s okay not to be perfect all the time. That sometimes, just giving it a go is enough. It’s not just funny; it’s entertaining in the best sense of the word.
So, grab your loved ones, get ready for some Rhine charm and a bit of chaos. The theaters are packed—and for good reason. Anyone who saw the crowd in Leipzig knows: Horst is back. And that is one hell of a good thing for German comedy.