- Unraveling Mystery at the Aquarium: Criminal Drama Series "Allmen and the Enigma of the Koi"
A Swisher fellow, boasting a hereditary title, and possessing a butler, embarks on a covert operation for obtaining valuable items with his trusted servant by his side. The fifth installment of Johann Friedrich von Allmen, played by Heino Ferch, titled "Allmen and the Secret of the Koi," will be aired on Saturday (24.8.) at 8:15 PM on the First channel.
Allmen, yearning for some leisure time, travels to Tenerife, accompanied by his loyal aide Carlos (Samuel Finzi). Despite financial difficulties and enormous tax demands, they venture forth, courtesy of Allmen's affluent partner Jojo Hirth (Andrea Osvárt), who welcomes them with champagne and a classic Jaguar vehicle, speeding them towards a lavish villa nestled high above the shoreline.
However, trouble ensues for Allmen as a result of his acquaintance, Freddie (Falilou Seck), who owes a substantial debt to movie mogul Garrett (Uwe Kockisch). To clear his debts, Freddie has utilized Allmen's IOUs. Now, the sophisticated art enthusiast and Private Investigator is required to restore a special item: a Japanese Koi. The small ornamental fish supposedly vanished from Garrett's garden pond, following the demise of the caretaker in it. Apart from Garrett, this treasure is significant to his enigmatic girlfriend, Dr. Akina de la Vega (Edita Malovčić), revered in Japan as a symbol of love and happiness. Tragedy strikes again, and a perilous game of deceit begins.
First-time director Sinje Köhler (36, "Doppelhaushälfte") offers an engaging and fast-paced film brimming with intrigue, slivers of humor, and an undertone of drama. The scenery is beautifully captured in the film, featuring the sun-soaked cliffs, stunning mansions, and sprawling plantations. The well-crafted dialogue, as noted within previous adaptations, is the work of Martin Rauhaus, while the story is inspired by a novel authored by Swiss writer Martin Suter.
Heino Ferch (61, "Tod in Mombasa," "Die Saat - Tödliche Macht") embodies the wealthy, impeccably-dressed bon vivant suffering from unwanted debt and struggling to recognize the importance of his relationships and life's true joys. Ferch frequently addresses the audience in the film and provides this ARD statement: "Allmen is a reflection of 'All Men' (the average man). He encapsulates the wealthy man who cherishes beauty."
The perfect foil to Ferch's character is provided by Samuel Finzi (58, "Bad Director," "Helgoland 513"), who delivers a nuanced performance with his subdued presence. His character serves as the wise and trusted counselor, adept in cooking, ironing, and financial management, in stark contrast to his nickname, "Don John," bestowed upon him by Allmen with respect. It is a pleasure to witness the perplexing dance between these two gentlemen, alongside Michaela Rosen in her exceptional role as a puppet-master photographer.
The media becomes interested in Allmen's situation as his quest to recover the valuable Koi gains traction, with headlines like "Allmen's Adventure: The search for the Missing Koi" and "The Elusive Koi: Allmen and Garrett's Feud." The media also covers the premier of "Allmen and the Secret of the Koi," featuring interviews with the cast and discussions about the film's themes of love, debt, and personal growth.
In an attempt to divert attention from their activities, Allmen and Carlos strategize with the help of their PR team, coordinating a series of press conferences and exclusive interviews to shift the focus back to the upcoming film and away from their clandestine operation.
