Impro-comedy “Micha denkt groß” premieres on TV after a successful cinema debut. Directed by Jan Georg Schütte and Lars Jessen, the film addresses the pressing issue of water scarcity while exploring community dynamics in a fictional East German village. Micha, a tech entrepreneur, seeks to transform his late parents’ hotel into a wellness retreat, eliciting mixed reactions from locals. The film received the Bernd Burgemeister Prize at the Munich Film Festival for “Best TV Film.”
Following its theatrical release in August, the improvised comedy ‘Micha denkt groß’ (2024) will air today, November 1, at 8:15 PM on ARD.
The film’s creators, Jan Georg Schütte (61, ‘Kommissar Dupin’) and Lars Jessen (55, ‘Vadder, Kutter, Sohn’), emphasized the importance of showcasing the film in cinemas. Schütte expressed, “This gives us the chance to engage with our audience personally, which is often lacking in a purely TV broadcast.” Jessen added that they aimed to initiate conversations with viewers, as “the topic affects us all.” The team traveled across more than 30 cinemas, from Kiel to the Ore Mountains, discussing potential solutions to the crisis with local community members. According to the broadcaster, this included scientists and various engaged individuals from civil society.
Award at the Munich Film Festival
On their cinema tour, ‘Micha denkt groß’ also celebrated a significant achievement. Producer Maren Knieling and Lars Jessen of Florida Film received the Bernd Burgemeister Award at the Munich Film Festival on June 30, 2024. This coproduction with ARD Degeto Film and MDR, focusing on the struggle for land and water, won in the ‘Best TV Film’ category.
Synopsis of ‘Micha denkt groß’
The story revolves around Micha (Charly Hübner, 51), who left his fictional hometown Klein-Schappleben in Saxony-Anhalt to start a successful gaming startup in Berlin. After experiencing the failure of a second startup and battling burnout, this “visionary founder” seeks a fresh start in the countryside. During a town hall meeting, Micha shares his vision to transform the old hotel of his late parents into a luxury wellness resort that integrates “work, creativity, enjoyment, and happiness.”
While Mayor Moni Hoffmann (Annett Sawallisch, 37) and mobile massage therapist Tina Oppermann (Jördis Triebel, 47) are enthusiastic about his proposal, the rest of the community remains doubtful. For farmers like organic sheep breeder Jonas Oppermann (Ulrich Brandhoff, 39) and large farmer Hermann Köppe (Peter Kurth, 67, ‘Zwei zu eins’), the pressing water crisis takes precedence.
A Comedy Addressing Water Scarcity
Creating a comedy that tackles the serious and socially relevant issue of water scarcity poses a significant challenge, something Schütte acknowledges. “The challenge was to create a topical film without being moralizing,” he admits. He adds, “Documentaries aren’t for everyone. Through entertainment, we hope to reach a wider audience.” When discussing the perceived incongruity of combining water scarcity with comedy and improvisation, he remarks, “Water scarcity is a harsh reality many ignore. Humor can alleviate the fear surrounding this topic, while improvisation allows for a personal storytelling approach.” Jessen adds that humor can have a liberating effect and open up an optimistic worldview.
This forward-looking perspective is underscored by facts presented in the film’s credits: “Since 2000, Germany loses 2.5 trillion liters of water annually, equivalent to the volume of Lake Constance. Germany ranks among the regions with the highest water loss globally.”
Improvisational Stars with a Passion for East Germany
Jan Georg Schütte has directed and written several successful improvised films, including ‘Altersglühen – Speed Dating für Senioren’ (2014), ‘Wellness für Paare’ (2016), ‘Klassentreffen’ (2019), ‘Tatort: Das Team’ (2020), ‘Für immer Sommer 90’ (2021), ‘Kranitz’ (2021), ‘Das Begräbnis’ (2022), and ‘Das Fest der Liebe’ (2023). He is currently working on sequels to his last two films under the working title ‘Die Hochzeit.’
Charly Hübner, an alumnus of the former ‘Polizeiruf 110’, has featured in many of these projects. Schütte and Hübner not only share a passion for improvisational acting but also exhibit a joyful and articulate approach in their collaborations, showcasing humility. Schütte notably demonstrates this quality in ‘Micha denkt groß’ as the unconventional thinker and prepper Bernd Schlüter.
A recurring theme in Hübner and Schütte’s work is their deep connection to Northern and Eastern Germany. “Charly Hübner, hailing from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, consistently brings great ideas. My wife is from Saxony, so I receive many themes directly from her,” explains Sch