In his fourth feature film, and first cinematic comedy, which started shooting on 4 October, Adrian Goiginger will tell an emotional father-son story. Goiginger first came to cinematic attention with his multi-award-winning debut, The Best of All Worlds [+lire aussi :
critique
bande-annonce
fiche film], and earlier this year released the Felix Mitterer adaptation Märzengrund [+lire aussi :
critique
fiche film] and finished shooting Der Fuchs. Taking on the main role is Austrian singer Voodoo Jürgens, making his acting debut. Jürgens is further contributing to the soundtrack of the film with some of his already-released songs.

It is those songs that inspired Goiginger for the plot of Rickerl, the current working title of the project. Set in the Viennese milieu of the Tschocherl and Beisln, which are local terms for run-down, not-so-appealing but nevertheless comfy bars and restaurants, the story follows Erich “Rickerl” Bohacek, who performs songs for tips and dreams of making it big. Simultaneously, he is trying to be a good father to his son Dominik, but he finds it difficult to build a relationship with him. Only when Rickerl is in danger of losing Dominik for good does he realise that he has to fundamentally change his life.

The filmmakers declare that the movie is rooted in local colour and the humour of the average man in the street. A reminiscence on the soul of Austropop music, it displays a deep love for Viennese culture and charm. As Goiginger stated, “For many years now, I've been carrying around the idea of making a film that captures the soul of Austropop. I want to elicit all of the emotions that this music triggers not only in me, but also in thousands of other people.”

Jürgens added: “I met Adrian after his first film, and then the idea of making a movie out of my songs came up quickly. With the film, we can depict a Vienna that is dying out with its Beisln and its language.”

Filming will be under way in Vienna until mid-November. The other members of the Austrian-German ensemble cast include Agnes Hausmann, Ben Winkler, Rudi Larsen, Nicole Beutler, Claudius von Stolzmann, Elisa Schlott, Alex Miksch, Simon Morzé and Der Nino aus Wien.

Rickerl is an Austrian-German co-production being staged by 2010 Entertainment and Giganten Film in co-production with ORF Film/Television Agreement, BR and SWR. It is being supported by the Austrian Film Institute, Film Fund Vienna and FilmFernsehFonds Bayern. Filmladen Filmverleih and ProKino Filmverleih are expected to release Rickerl in Austrian and German cinemas in autumn 2023.