- "Micha embraces grandideas": A satirical piece with impact.
Similar to many real-life tales, the narrative commences with Micha, played by Charly Hübner from the imaginary town of Klein-Schappleben, Saxony-Anhalt, having made it big. His aim is to pump his earnings back into his hometown by constructing a high-end hotel with an extravagant spa. However, several roadblocks appear. The filmmakers creatively depict the eastern German landscape as looking as wide-open and breathtaking as the West.
The filmmakers, including directors Lars Jessen and Jan Georg Schütte and their co-writers, draw from real-world horrors: the effects of climate change. In Klein-Schappleben, the groundwater is beginning to deplete. A new well needs to be dug. Micha proposes working on this project with his neighbors, but the feasibility of this idea remains unclear. Various forms of human ignorance seem to obstruct the project.
The ominous backdrop of the film isn't merely coincidental. While even the rainiest parts of Germany still have an adequate water supply, water levels are decreasing, and groundwater is becoming scarce. Concurrently, private, industrial, and agricultural water consumption is increasing. The clock is ticking, and although there hasn't been a disaster like the one portrayed in the film yet, it's becoming increasingly likely.
Rather than delivering a lecture, the film uses humor to engage. Just like in the critically acclaimed TV movie "Forever Summer 90" (2020) by Lars Jessen and Jan Georg Schütte, this is an "improv-comedy". This means the actors were given a script outline instead of a detailed script, allowing them to freely improvise, which mostly proves successful.
As in "Forever Summer 90", Charly Hübner, a renowned actor known for "Polizeiruf 110" and "Mittagsstunde", played a significant role in the film's development, serving as an idea generator and co-author. This is undoubtedly why his character remains credible during the comical scenes. The brilliant acting is the film's highlight. Along with Charly Hübner, Jördis Triebel ("Babylon Berlin") as physiotherapist Tina and Peter Kurth ("In the Gangs") as farmer Köppe deliver standout performances, giving their seemingly eccentric characters a relatable human quality as the story unfolds.
The small-town community serves as a microcosm, reflecting the present. In the most impactful scenes, the comedy transforms into satire, highlighting societal issues through sharp wit. The various facets of modern life in the face of political disillusionment and societal upheavals are revealed, without resorting to cynicism or sentimentality. The small-town community becomes a reflection of the broader, not just the eastern German, present. Quite remarkable!
Occasionally, the humor takes a absurd turn, such as during another attempt at an Angela Merkel parody. However, the comedy generally hits its mark. Rustic humor and commentary on the world's state come together to create a warm, liberating laugh. With this, the sharp comedy has the potential to become a cult classic with a wide audience appeal.
In his attempt to revitalize his hometown, Micha considers constructing a high-end hotel in Eastern Germany, specifically in Klein-Schappleben, Saxony-Anhalt. The beautifully captured eastern German landscape, despite its wide-open and breathtaking appearance, faces the looming issue of depleting groundwater resources.
