Here's the cure for your impending fall/winter SAD: new German comedies that run the gamut from silly to tragic-comic. Let's start with the one I'm most looking forward to:
Wolfgang Petersen (DAS BOOT) is finishing up Germany’s answer to Ocean’s Eleven, called VIER GEGEN DIE BANK, out Christmas Day. The four heroes of this remake --inspired by Petersen's own 1976 TV movie-- are broke. While middle-class, they've lost everything in a banking scheme. So star actor-comedians Til Schweiger, Matthias Schweighöfer, Jan Josef Liefers and Michael Bully Herbig are banding together, with Alexandra Maria Lara, to right this wrong.
If you are suffering from Elyas M’Barek withdrawal --at TIFF15 and GOETHE FILMS with WHO AM I, and Herfurth's love interest in Germany's biggest comedy ever, FACK JU GOHTE--, fear not. Simon Verhoeven (THE MIRACLE OF BERN) has cast him and veterans Senta Berger and Heiner Lauterbach in
WELCOME TO THE HARTMANNS, a comedy about a retired teacher who takes a Somali refuge into her home and family, with all the ensuing --and hopefully not cringe-worthy-- culture clash amusement. The subject matter --see photo-- garnered them a Guardian article. German trailer here.
Daniel Levy is also dissecting the family hell with DIE WELT DER WUNDERLICHS, a family comedy that's just out in Germany. Mimi, musician and stressed out single mother of a "spirited" son, sees a chance to finally get her family, her (love) life and her fate in order when her son secretly sends her resume to the casting show for the Eurovision Song Contest. Alas her family insists on accompanying her -- now she dreads what was to be her big break. With Christiane Paul (PARENTS) and Hannelore Elsner (TOUR DE FORCE). German trailer
here.
Director Sandra Nettelbeck, of MOSTLY MARTHA fame, tries to find out at WHAT DOESN'T KILL US, a tragic-comic exploration of mid-life, filled with anecdotes of love and loss, children and parents, work life and pets, separations and new encounters -- everything you expect from the second half of life. Or not. The outstanding character actor cast of Sophie Rois (THREE) and Bjarne Mädel (24 WEEKS) bodes well.
Finally, there's comfort on a dark and dreary night:
TEXT MESSAGE FOR YOU is actor Karoline Herfurth (FACK JU GÖHTE) feature debut, starring herself as well as an impressive ensemble cast of Katja Riemann, Frederick Lau (who we just showed in VICTORIA), Nora Tischirner, and Friedrich Mücke. The rom-com is an adaptation of Sofie Cramer's eponymous novel. Two years after her boyfriend Ben's accidental death, Clare hasn't come to terms with the tragedy. Clara's roommate and best friend Katja tries her best to support her friend. But Clara is only interested in sending longing text messages to Ben's old cell number, knowing that his number has been reassigned. To Mark, a journalist in an unhappy relationship. Attracted by Clara's dedication, Mark and his friend David set out to find the source of the anonymous love notes. Out now with very good Reviews. German trailer
here.
by
@JuttaBrendemuhl
image: promo photo courtesy Warner Bros.
