It’s already one of the sensational reports of the cinema year: Michael Herbig is returning to the world of The Shoe of Manitu after 23 years and is filming part 2 almost 12 million viewers The western comedy is one of the most successful German films ever. The Manitu’s Canoe is intended to repeat this box office dream, with plenty of nostalgia and the familiar faces of the bully parade.
In addition to Herbig, Christian Tramitz and Rick Kavanian are at the start. Wait, somehow that sounds familiar. Didn’t we just have this reunion? Herbig’s personal Avengers? Yes, actually: Bullyparade – The film was released in cinemas in 2017. Unfortunately a forgettable best-of of the old gags. I was all the more thrilled when, a year later, Herbig presented his most ambitious directorial work to date: Balloon.
With Balloon, Michael “Bully” Herbig has delivered a gripping thriller following in the footsteps of Hitchcock
Balloon takes you to 1979. Based on true events, Herbig tells the story of two families from the GDR who come together to build a home Hot air balloon to escape to the west. Admittedly, at first glance this looks like a tired TV two-parter. However, Herbig transforms the material into a gripping piece of suspense cinema and emulates well-known role models.
You can watch the trailer for Balloon here:
Balloon – Trailer (German) HD
This includes none other than the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock. From the first few minutes the tension sets in, the rooms become darker, cooler and narrower. Herbig creates one uncomfortable atmosphere, which makes the sweat on the foreheads of his characters noticeable every second. Every attempt to escape increases the thrill. The bomb under the table is ticking.
Herbig was never at a loss for his role models. They can be clearly seen in his work. They are quoted and satirized. What’s more: you will be hugged. The thing I admire most about Herbig’s cinema is this Love for all the genre stuff, which he parodies on the surface. In reality, every Manitu shoe would like to be a real western. And every (T)Starship Surprise is a real Star Wars/Star Trek.
Why The Shoe of Manitu 2 is a step backwards for Michael “Bully” Herbig and German cinema
Herbig has all the blockbusters that are difficult to shoot in German cinemas, disguised as a parody brought to the big screen. The Shoe of Manitu works just as much as a comedy as it does as an adventure film, while (T)Raumschiff Surprise has a feel for sci-fi images that you don’t necessarily know from local productions, such as the fast-paced chase with the space taxi.
Constantine film
(T)Spaceship Surprise
Nevertheless, it took some time before Herbig was able to unleash his enthusiasm for the genre for the first time without the comedic framework. He was on the move with a balloon German blockbuster cinema to form something that does not exist in this form. I’d like to see more of this curious filmmaker instead of him going back to the things he’s done (successfully) countless times.
With the announcement of The Canoe of Manitu we end up back in the 2000s. Of course, it’s exciting to see Herbig working with Western settings again. Last but not least, the Manitu shoe brand must now stand the test of time. But all of this is a reaction to something in the past. As a director, Herbig couldn’t be further away from the ambitions that lay dormant in Ballon.
You can currently stream Ballon on MagentaTV and Joyn+. The film is also on Amazon’s Arthouse and AllStars channels. The Canoe of Manitu will be released in cinemas in 2025.