Zeit der Zimmerbrände

After 15 years as coach of a middle-class ice hockey team in Canada, Harry Zoppke has served his purpose. Without a job and without a family, he returns to his hometown of Freiburg. While looking for work at his old club, the EHC Freiburg, he meets Benny, whom he once coached. Benny has come a long way as a joke item manufacturer. But Benny is always plagued by the uncertainty about the identity of his father. When Benny discovers that Harry is left-handed like him and has the same allergies, he is convinced that Harry must be the long-awaited biological father. Benny, in turn, is completely taken aback and ultimately misses the right moment to explain the misunderstanding to Benny. Instead, Harry soon enjoys having a son and no longer being alone. Benny now finally has the father he always wanted.

Directed by Vivian Naefe, Zeit der Zimmerbrände leans on a strong ensemble — Uwe Ochsenknecht, Christoph Letkowski, Marie-Lou Sellem — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 2014.