Look Who's Back (film)

Look Who's Back (German: Er ist wieder da, pronounced [ˈeːɐ̯ ʔɪst ˈviːdɐ daː]; transl. "He's back again/He is again there") is a 2015 German satirical black comedy film directed by David Wnendt and based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Timur Vermes.[3][4][5][6][7] The film features unscripted vignettes of Oliver Masucci as Adolf Hitler interacting with ordinary Germans, interspersed with scripted storyline sequences.[8] It was listed as one of eight films that could be the German submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards, but it was not selected.[9]

Look Who's Back
German release poster
Directed byDavid Wnendt
Screenplay by
  • Johannes Boss
  • Minna Fischgartl
  • David Wnendt
Based onLook Who's Back
by Timur Vermes
Produced by
  • Lars Dittrich
  • Christopher Müller
Starring
CinematographyHanno Lentz
Edited byHans Funck
Music byEnis Rotthoff
Distributed byConstantin Film
Release date
  • 8 October 2015 (2015-10-08) (Germany)
Running time
116 minutes
CountryGermany
LanguageGerman
Budget€2,956,960[1]
($3.3 million)
Box office$25.5 million[2]

Plot

In 2014, Adolf Hitler wakes up in the Berlin park where his Führerbunker once stood. Disoriented, he wanders through the city, interpreting modern situations from a wartime perspective. Mistaken for an impersonator, Hitler encounters a mime and a terrified young mother who pepper-sprays him. He faints after reading a newspaper stating the year is 2014.

Meanwhile, Fabian Sawatzki, a filmmaker recently fired from MyTV, spots Hitler in the background of his documentary footage. Hoping to regain his job, Sawatzki embarks on a search for Hitler. As Hitler wakes up at a newspaper kiosk, he reads about a changed Germany and laments the loss of his vision. Believing destiny has a purpose for him, Hitler decides to continue his work.

Sawatzki proposes filming Hitler for YouTube and they embark on a journey across Germany. Hitler interacts with ordinary Germans, promising to solve their problems, while also expressing disdain for those he dislikes. Sawatzki's idea for an animal-centric film clip ends abruptly when Hitler shoots a dog, leading to outrage. Nonetheless, their videos gain millions of views as they return to Berlin.

Sawatzki introduces Hitler and his program idea to MyTV executives, including the new chairman, Katja Bellini. Hitler learns about the Internet and prepares to re-enter politics. On air, he presents his old plans for an ethnically homogeneous state, unintentionally becoming a comedy hit. However, when unedited footage of Hitler shooting the dog is broadcast, their careers are ruined, and Christoph Sensenbrink, the executive responsible, is promoted.

With the help of Bellini and Sawatzki, Hitler publishes a bestselling book titled "Er Ist Wieder Da" about his new life. Sawatzki turns the book into a film, but without Hitler, MyTV's ratings plummet. In a fit of rage, Sensenbrink rehires Hitler to save the network.

During filming, Hitler is attacked by Neo-Nazis who mistake him for a mocking impersonator. Hospitalized, the news generates sympathy, and Hitler's popularity soars. Sawatzki reviews his footage and realizes the Hitler he encountered was the real person. He confronts Hitler on a rooftop, but it is revealed to be a film scene; in reality, Sawatzki's allegations were not believed, and he has been committed to a mental hospital.

As Hitler's film finishes, he senses a political comeback. More popular than ever, he sees hope in nationalist Germans for his return to power. The film ends with Hitler's voice-over "I can work with this." as he and Bellini ride in a car amidst images of nationalist demonstrations.

Cast

As themselves in cameos (German TV and internet personalities): Klaas Heufer-Umlauf, Joko Winterscheidt, Frank Plasberg, Daniel Aminati, Jörg Thadeusz, Roberto Blanco, Micaela Schäfer, Dagi Bee, Freshtorge, Robert Hofmann, Joyce Ilg, Andrea Nahles, Nina Proll

Box office

The film was a box office success, reaching number one in Germany in its third week of release.[10]

Remake

The film was remade in Italy as Sono tornato (I'm Back). The plot closely follows the German film except that it is Benito Mussolini rather than Hitler who magically reappears in the 21st century.

See also

References
  1. "Look Who's Back (2015) - Box office & Business". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  2. "Er ist wieder da (Look Who's Back)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  3. Connolly, Kate (6 October 2015). "David Wnendt on filming Look Who's Back: 'Our idea was to see how people react to Hitler'". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  4. German Comic Novel About Hitler Becomes Bestseller, at Algemeiner Journal; published 7 January 2013; retrieved 16 December 2013
  5. Jaafar, Ali (21 October 2015). "Hitler Pic 'Look Who's Back' A Smash In Germany". Deadline. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  6. Taylor, Adam (24 October 2015). "Look Who's Back: New film asking what would happen it Hitler returned to Germany has a worrying answer". The Independent. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  7. Hofmann, Sarah Judith (9 October 2015). "Hitler is ′back′ - but did he ever leave?". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  8. Lee, Benjamin (27 October 2015). "Hitler comedy Look Who's Back becomes Germany's No 1 movie". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  9. Roxborough, Scott (3 August 2016). "'Toni Erdmann,' 'Fritz Bauer' Among German Oscar Hopefuls". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  10. Lee, Benjamin (27 October 2015). "Hitler comedy Look Who's Back becomes Germany's No 1 movie". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
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