Der Rekordbeobachter (2012)

Marvin Feldmann works for the editorial staff of the Book of Records as a record observer, and his editor sends him to the Finnish island of Föglö, where an attempt is being made to set a record for stone skipping. The pedantic, water-shy Feldmann reluctantly travels to the Finnish wilderness and stays at Fanny Hilleröd’s guesthouse. When it turns out that Fanny’s nephew, twelve-year-old Elias, is making the record attempt, Feldmann is even more displeased—children overestimate themselves and are only pushed into record attempts by their parents. Feldmann gives Elias one day with as many attempts as he likes. But the best throw skips only 50 times, one short of the existing record. Feldmann wants to leave that very evening, but there are no more ferries. Fanny tells him that Elias has a congenital aneurysm in his brain, meaning that any exertion could be fatal for him; it may soon be too late to submit a second record application. Feldmann expresses his regret, but says he cannot make an exception. Elias is in constant conflict with his mother, Frieda, who forbids him from exerting himself out of concern for him, while he is determined to lead a joyful, eventful life despite the constant danger. Accordingly, Frieda is also firmly opposed to the record attempt, which Fanny has registered. The next morning, Elias persuades Feldmann to let him make a few more attempts, “until the next ferry goes.” Again, he fails, and at the ferry terminal Feldmann is told that the ferry is out of order. Fanny has taken his mobile phone, and supposedly the other phones on the island cannot be used. Elias now takes the agreement literally: “Until the next ferry goes” is still ongoing. But his throws continue to fall just short of a new record. That evening, Feldmann begins to thaw a little while talking with Fanny, drinks too much, and misses the ferry for a third time the next morning. This gives Elias another chance, and he fails again. In the days that follow, Feldmann deliberately misses the ferry. He grows closer to Fanny, celebrates Midsummer with the islanders, and lets Elias talk him into various activities—against Frieda’s wishes. Just before the last possible record attempt, Feldmann is picked up by his editor, who has hired a water taxi. On the way back, he sees a rescue helicopter flying toward the island, fears for the boy’s life, and has the boat turn around. Elias undergoes emergency surgery at the hospital. Frieda angrily reproaches Feldmann, but Fanny calms her down. Elias is soon out of danger. Through his editorial office, Feldmann organizes a public appeal for people to send Elias postcards wishing him a speedy recovery, and they soon arrive by the sackful. With more than a million recovery wishes, Elias receives the official record in this category. Twelve months later, Feldmann is visiting Fanny again. This time Elias manages a throw with 52 skips, although Feldmann is busy kissing Fanny at the time. Feldmann’s actions and thoughts are repeatedly elaborated on through brief soliloquies that only the audience can hear.