Me and Kaminski (film)

Me and Kaminski (German: Ich und Kaminski) is a 2015 comedy-drama film directed by Wolfgang Becker from a screenplay by Thomas Wendrich, based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Daniel Kehlmann. It tells the story of a young writer who hopes to make his reputation and fortune by publishing a biography of one of the greatest 20th-century painters, now blind and living in total seclusion. It was released in Germany on 17 September 2015 by X Verleih.[1]

Me and Kaminski
German theatrical release poster
Directed byWolfgang Becker
Produced by
  • Uwe Schott
  • Wolfgang Becker
Screenplay byThomas Wendrich
Based onMe and Kaminski
by Daniel Kehlmann
Starring
Music byLorenz Dangel
CinematographyJürgen Jürges
Edited byPeter R. Adam
Production
companies
Distributed byX Verleih
Release date
  • 17 September 2015 (2015-09-17) (Germany)
Running time
124 minutes
Country
  • Germany
  • Belgium
LanguageGerman

Plot

Sebastian Zöllner, a cocky young writer, travels to the Swiss Alps to interview Manuel Kaminski, a legend among 20th-century painters, who knew everybody in the art world but lost his sight and withdrew from all contact. Zöllner's idea is to have a biography ready the moment Kaminski is dead.

Kaminski is looked after by a wary daughter Miriam, who insists on being at interviews, and a dim housekeeper. While the daughter is out, Zöllner bribes the housekeeper to leave the house and he starts exploring. In the desk he finds letters to Kaminski from friends like Matisse and Picasso, and pockets some. In the basement he finds a secret studio with huge self-portraits, two of which he rolls up and keeps.

But he needs to get Kaminski on his own, so he tells the old man that his great love Therese, who the world thought dead, is in fact living in the north. Kaminski gives him the keys to his Jaguar and the two set off, but at a service station the car is stolen (and hidden in it the paintings Zöllner had stolen). Continuing by taxi, they stop at a shabby hotel where Kaminski, free of Miriam's control, orders a huge meal and a prostitute.

Arriving at the house of the ancient Therese, all she wants to talk about is grandchildren and TV programs. She does however admit that she spoke extensively to another writer, who has a biography of Kaminski ready for publication. As the disappointed pair leave, Miriam is outside in the recovered Jaguar, into which she bundles her father. Zöllner asks if he can quickly say a private goodbye to the old man and, as soon as Miriam gets out, roars off with Kaminski.

The old man says he'd like to go to the seaside, and the two paddle happily in the surf. Relaxing afterwards on the sand, after signing the two canvases Zöllner had stolen, Kaminski hints that the young man should give up his quest and leave him alone. Zöllner takes the hint and, after throwing his notes, tapes, and camera into the sea, disappears with the canvases over the dunes. The solitary old man on the beach slowly changes into one of his self-portraits.

Cast

References
  1. "Me and Kaminski (Ich und Kaminski)". Cineuropa. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
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