Awards Contender “Superbuhei” Steeped in Surrealism, Dark German Humor

The crew of Superbuhei, a dark comedy shortlisted for the Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition, met the media at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival on June 19.

The German production marks the directorial debut of Josef Brandl, who previously worked as a production designer on films by renowned directors such as Steven Spielberg and Wes Anderson.

Its story follows Jesse Bronske, the owner of a Hanover bar named Klaus Meine located inside a supermarket. Struggling with alcoholism, Jesse drinks heavily every day until he begins experiencing hallucinations and encounters another version of himself.

Blending paper-cut animation, a rock-infused soundtrack, and a fluid interplay between reality and fantasy, the film infuses everyday life with dark humor, surrealism, and an underlying sense of unease.

Director Brandl explained that his experience working as a production designer for films by Spielberg and Anderson provided him with a unique perspective and valuable filmmaking insights that were applied to his work on Superbuhei. 

“Working on short films before also taught me how to make compromises,” he said. “When working with limited budgets, you have to make concessions and give up certain elements of the film. But even under such circumstances, I believe I still managed to create a film that I am satisfied with.”

The German author, Sven Amtsberg, on whose novel of the same name the film is based, said he was highly satisfied with director Brandl’s adaptation of his work. 

“He turned my original story into something that could actually be filmed,” Amtsberg said. “The spatial layout of the film, the lighting design, as well as the construction of the supermarket and the pub, all impressed me greatly.”

Producer Jan Philip Lange shared his thoughts on choosing Shanghai for the film’s world premiere.

Lange noted that, much like the film’s title, Superbuhei, Shanghai is a “super bustling city” that is open, vibrant, and full of energy. He was delighted at seeing audiences at the previous day’s screening appreciate and understand the film’s distinctly German brand of dark humor.

The entire creative team also expressed hope that the film would eventually be released in cinemas across China.