Kein Pardon

Hape Kerkeling's 1993 German film is a satire aimed at the back rooms of television entertainment. Peter has wanted to be a presenter since childhood; he auditions for the show of the ageing star he admires, Heinz Wäscher, humiliates himself and lands a job on the set anyway. What he sees from inside is the reverse of the smile on screen: the host shouts at his crew, guests are demeaned, the audience's feelings are designed in advance and everything is arranged around ratings. Kerkeling wrote and directed the film and plays several roles himself. The humour targets a particular tradition in German television and its references mean more to those who know that culture. It was a considerable success at home and became a cult title. Who it's for: viewers who like television satire and German comedy. Who it's not for: anyone unfamiliar with German television; some of the jokes are local.