Look Who's Back (film)

Look Who's Back (Er ist wieder da, ; ) is a 2015 German satirical black comedy film directed by David Wnendt and based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Timur Vermes. The film features unscripted vignettes of Oliver Masucci as Adolf Hitler interacting with ordinary Germans, interspersed with scripted storyline sequences. It was listed as one of eight films that could have been the German submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards, but it was not selected.

Plot
In 2014, Adolf Hitler wakes up in the Berlin park where his Führerbunker once stood. Disoriented, he wanders through the city, interpreting modern situations from a wartime perspective. Mistaken for an impersonator, Hitler encounters a mime and an anxious young mother, the latter of which pepper-sprays him. He faints after reading a newspaper stating the year is 2014.

Meanwhile, Fabian Sawatzki, a filmmaker recently fired from MyTV, spots Hitler in the background of his documentary footage. Believing him to be an impressionist, and hoping to regain his job, Sawatzki embarks on a search for Hitler. As Hitler wakes up at a newspaper kiosk, he reads about a changed Germany and laments the loss of his vision. Believing destiny has a purpose for him, Hitler decides to continue his work, and eventually he and Sawatzki cross paths.

Sawatzki proposes filming Hitler for YouTube and they embark on a journey across Germany. Hitler interacts with ordinary Germans, promising to solve their problems, while also expressing disdain for those he dislikes. Sawatzki's idea for an animal-centric film clip ends abruptly when the normally animal-loving Hitler shoots a dog after it bites him.

Sawatzki introduces Hitler and his program idea to MyTV executives, including the new managing director, Katja Bellini. Hitler learns about the Internet and prepares to re-enter politics. On air, he presents his old plans for an ethnically homogeneous state, unintentionally becoming a comedy hit. However, when unedited footage of Hitler shooting the dog is broadcast, their careers are ruined, and Christoph Sensenbrink, the executive responsible, is promoted.

With the help of Bellini and Sawatzki, Hitler publishes a book titled "Er Ist Wieder Da" ("He is Back") about his new life, which becomes a bestseller; despite the controversy he has garnered for shooting the dog, the public seems to be very interested in him. Sawatzki turns Hitler’s book into a film, but without Hitler, MyTV's ratings plummet. In a fit of rage, Sensenbrink rehires Hitler to save the network.

During filming, Hitler is attacked by Neo-Nazis who mistake him for a mocking impersonator. Hospitalized, the news generates sympathy, and Hitler's popularity soars. Following suspicions about Hitler's true identity, Sawatzki reviews his footage and travels to the spot where Hitler rose from the ground. He discovers burnt leaves and a sign that the Führerbunker once stood at that location. Sawatzki realizes Hitler is not an impersonator and goes to confront him at the hospital, but Hitler has already been discharged and only Bellini is in the room. Sawatzki tries to explain the truth to Bellini, but she does not believe the story and hospital staff begins to chase him.

At the MyTV set, Hitler is filming when he is interrupted by Sawatzki holding him at gunpoint. Hitler allows Sawatzki to direct them to the rooftop, where Sawatzki shoots him off the side of the building. Hitler reappears behind him, unharmed, and the confrontation is revealed to be a film scene with an actor playing Sawatzki; the real Sawatzki had been committed to a mental hospital.

As Hitler's film finishes, he senses a political comeback. More popular than ever, he sees hope in nationalist Germans for his return to power. As he and Bellini ride in a car amidst images of nationalist demonstrations, Hitler says to himself: “I can work with this.”

Cast
As themselves in cameos (German TV and internet personalities): Klaas Heufer-Umlauf, Joko Winterscheidt, Frank Plasberg, Daniel Aminati, Jörg Thadeusz, Roberto Blanco, Micaela Schäfer, Dagi Bee, Freshtorge, Robert Hofmann, Joyce Ilg, Andrea Nahles, Nina Proll, Holger Apfel as Ulf Birne

Production
The scene in which Sensenbrink rages about the network's failing performance parodies a scene from Downfall that became popular through internet parodies.

Box office
The film was a box office success, reaching number one in Germany in its third week of release.

Remake
The film was remade in Italy as Sono tornato (I'm Back). The plot closely follows the German film except that it is Benito Mussolini rather than Hitler who magically reappears in the 21st century.