Mülheim Texas - Helge Schneider Hier und Dort

There is hardly an artist in Germany who divides opinions as much as Helge Schneider. Some love and adore him, others get the itch just thinking about Katzeklo. But even his biggest critics will have to acknowledge his versatile talent. Whether as a musician, who is a master of several instruments, as an actor, comedian, author or director, Helge Schneider is always taking on new creative challenges, never submitting to established conventions or pandering to mass taste. The artist Helge Schneider is known to most people. The man Helge Schneider, on the other hand, is a mystery, as he consistently keeps his private life out of the public eye. For her new film, filmmaker Andrea Roggon has set out to change that and to find out a little more about this exceptional artist. The documentary Mülheim Texas - Helge Schneider Hier und Dort shows how difficult this is and how she nevertheless managed to do it, which is just as non-conformist as one is used to from Helge Schneider.

Because although Schneider agreed to take part in this film, to be interviewed and accompanied by the camera, this does not mean that he opens up completely and makes it easy for Andrea Roggon to look behind the façade. This of course leads to some very quirky and amusing moments as Roggon tries to get Helge Schneider to open up to her, while at the same time respecting that he doesn't want people to know too much about him. The result is a documentary that may have some lengths, but it also offers little moments throughout where Helge Schneider shows sides of himself that you didn't know and perhaps didn't expect.

At the same time, the film is also an entertaining journey through the artist's career. Archival footage such as old film or tape recordings and photographs alternate with interview sequences or glimpses into Schneider's everyday life. The viewer can look over Schneider's shoulder at performances or during the shooting of his last film, but also at the private people. This is surprising, entertaining and funny for long stretches, but in other moments it also comes across as a little tough. Unfortunately, the film only appeals to viewers who are already fans of Helge Schneider and like his unconventional style. But if you don't know much about his music, his movies or his books, you won't be able to do much with this good, but also a bit unwieldy documentary. Worth seeing with small deductions!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp