Echte Bauern singen besser (2018)

The financially strapped talent agent Franzi has a problem: rock star Alexander Gromberg urgently needs a comeback. But instead of writing new songs, he is sinking into drug and sex binges. Record-label boss Fricke therefore wants to meet him in person before planning a tour with him. After Gromberg has to be held in a locked psychiatric hospital following a breakdown, Franzi sees herself on the brink of ruin. Then she spots a newspaper photo of farmer Sven Gose, who looks almost exactly like Gromberg. She surprises him at his parents’ farm and asks him to impersonate Gromberg at the crucial meeting. Spruced up and reciting a few wooden clichés, Sven gets through the dinner. But the label’s management also wants to see a live performance in front of an audience. Franzi seeks Sven out again and has to turn the plain, withdrawn farmer into a perfect Gromberg double in just a few days—which she fails to do. In his youth, Sven did have his own band, whose equipment is still gathering dust in the barn, but for reasons that are initially unclear, he cannot get a sound out. Meanwhile, the real Gromberg, on the mend, accidentally finds out what is going on behind his back. With the help of Rina, his easily manipulated fellow patient, whom he has befriended after some initial difficulties, he escapes from the hospital, but in the process puts her in grave danger. When she collapses in the street, he carries her back to the hospital—which impresses the staff—and learns that she lives there voluntarily because it provides the low-stimulation environment she needs. Gromberg regrets his behavior, becomes cooperative, and finally accepts therapy, so he can soon be discharged. By now, Sven and Franzi have fallen in love. But a fierce argument leads her to throw him out, and Sven drives back to his farm without saying goodbye. Now the reason for his distress is revealed: As a teenager, he had been rehearsing with his band in the barn when a faulty amplifier set it on fire. Sven’s father was badly injured in the efforts to put out the fire and rescue people. Ever since, the incident has placed a great strain on the family relationship. But now it is his father who encourages him to fight for the woman and the life opening up to him. Sven drives back and, to his surprise, finds Gromberg at Franzi’s agency, preparing for his comeback concert after being discharged. After a brief discussion, Sven asks him if he can perform the concert himself after all the groundwork, and Gromberg agrees on the condition that nobody finds out. Franzi, who at first mistakes Sven for Gromberg, is deeply shocked when the utterly honest Sven reveals his true identity on stage, contrary to their agreement, and announces his own song, “If It’s Going to Be Wrong, Then Do It Right.” With it, he quickly gets the initially disappointed audience fired up. Franzi now has to explain the deception to Fricke. He initially rebuffs her brusquely, but is nevertheless impressed by Sven’s talent. He agrees to sign Sven, but Franzi now turns him down. During Sven’s performance, Gromberg heads back to the hospital to give Rina a private concert of his old songs, which she likes.