No Hit Wonder (2025)

[bunniefuu]

The summer pop sensation Daniel Novak,

storming the charts with his "Time"...

12,000 kids and teens showed up

last Friday to see Daniel Novak live.

... the latest rage is driving teens

to the verge of nervous breakdowns.

A day before the concert

and dozens of fans are already waiting

for the stars outside their hotel.

Next on the show,

one-hit-wonder Daniel Novak.

Mr. Novak, let me ask you this,

does it bother you being famous

for one song?

Let me ask you this, does it bother you

to always ask the same question.

I'm number one...

Make some noise for our new star

at Beer Heaven in Majorca!

I can't hear you. Give me more!

DANIEL (49, SINGLE)

ONE-HIT-WONDER

VOTE FOR DANIEL

Thanks. Thanks.

And don't forget,

70 percent off selected items today.

I WANT TO GO

Look this way and smile please.

Thanks.

Are you still with me?

Can you repeat that? I was just...

The title is Strategies for Joy:

A study based on cortisol markers

in the saliva of mildly

to moderately depressed people.

I heard right then. It really is boring.

-I don't quite follow.

-Can you pitch it better?

What's the pitch? Where's the story?

The emotions? Why should sponsors

be excited about your study?

The thing itself is the pitch.

It's about applying

our well-founded scientific knowledge

to make people mentally healthier,

more resilient and happier.

Happier people are more socially minded,

and more socially minded people

certainly wouldn't be a luxury

in our lastingly messed-up world.

If we were a bit happier,

humanity might not be so screwed.

If that won't excite people, what will?

I'm looking for public funds,

not sponsors.

May I interrupt you for a moment?

Look around.

Do you see public funds

lying around here?

I have to call and beg a holding company

whenever we run out of ink.

We have other problems, staff shortages,

mountains of paperwork, cancer.

What we don't have is public funds.

-So people's happiness can wait.

-Ms. Waldstett.

State insurance doesn't cover happiness.

You have a space I have to fight

that holding for every year.

I'd be overjoyed if you had a hit.

A hit.

I need an attention-getter,

something juicy, and emotion.

A story. I feel like an ad agency.

-Hey Lissi!

-Hey!

The light working downstairs?

Thanks. We'll call the janitor.

Good luck. Plenty of that down there.

So funny.

Like I don't prost*tute myself enough.

Two PhDs, summa c*m laude

and changing bedpans to pay the rent.

-Hey!

-Sorry, it's nothing personal.

-Thanks for the job.

-You got it?

Thanks, Lars!

-Morning!

-Morning.

-Have you heard?

-What?

A celeb in 305.

Really?

He's awake.

-Do you know who he is?

-No.

... time, time, time, time

Time and again

-Crazy!

-Oh my God!

-He's looking rough.

-Rock'n'roll life, live hard die young.

Well, he might be 20 years

too late to die young.

Hello!

So?

How are you?

I...

Who are you?

I'm Hazel Graminski, the doctor on duty.

This is Dr. Grmel-Waldstett.

-My... Our research associate.

-Hello!

So what...

happened to my head?

You fell over your balcony railing.

You have a concussion

and a torn ligament.

-That's it?

-No.

The file says you shot yourself

through the cheek.

Small hole, two stitches, that's it.

What led to that?

Do you have a newspaper?

I don't have one here at the moment,

but we'd be glad

to have a look around for you.

But why don't you tell us

a bit about it.

-Okay.

-Okay.

When can I leave?

-Do you know where you are, Mr. Novak?

-Where?

-The crisis unit.

-The crisis is over now.

The crisis unit

of the secure psychiatric ward

at Munich University Hospital.

Secure?

Closed.

-Ergotherapy?

-Nope, won't do it.

So he's not talking,

no art, no movement?

What other therapies have we offered?

-That's all we have.

-And he won't talk?

I think his last word was five days ago.

What was that?

"My life, my business."

The judge won't release him then.

Well, I'm at a loss too.

Keep at it, eventually he'll respond.

-Next?

-Excuse me?

May I try?

Here, in case lemon tea granules alone

are too dry for you.

-That's your icebreaker?

-A little joke.

To get us rolling

so we can get to the issue at hand.

Lemon tea granules?

What kind of reviews did your exit get?

-Sorry.

-No, no. That was a good one.

-Well?

-There were none.

Nada. Not even a side note.

I have a small trial group over there.

Maybe you'd like to join in?

You started off so well.

Now you want to get me talking too.

Honestly, I'd rather people keep quiet.

I'm a scientist, not a therapist.

I just thought

you might want to leave the ward.

The group's in the outpatient hospital.

You could see the yard.

Right, it was a dumb idea.

I've got to go.

I've got to... check my urine samples.

They're getting cold.

-I'd like a cigarette.

-Sorry, not allowed.

Are you afraid I'll jump up and run off?

It'd be fun to watch you

run with a torn ligament.

You haven't told me

what you do in the group?

We sing.

We see if singing makes

sad people happier.

On a tree a cuckoo

On a tree a cuckoo...

sat

A young hunter came by

A young huntsman came by

He shot the poor cuckoo

He shot the poor cuckoo...

dead

The call is on hold.

Please wait a moment.

-The call is on hold.

-Hello?

-Hello, are you still there?

-Yes.

You're right. There was no report.

Yes, but that's strange, right?

Yes, I think so too.

Maybe it... got lost in the shuffle.

Who exactly am I speaking to?

As I said a...

a source close to him.

-Hey, Daniel, is it you?

-Hallo?

I've got your number saved

from my time at Bild newspaper.

Hello?

-One more thing...

-I'll stick this kid's fork in my eye.

I've got a proposal for you.

Help me make those people happy

and I'll help you get out of here.

You can't do that.

You're not a doctor.

-Wha...

-Well, here's the thing...

if an employee says

you're opening up, cooperating,

they'll start thinking

you're not a threat to yourself

and you can leave

after a suitable period of time.

All you need is for someone

to put in a good word for you.

-A suitable period?

-I have no say in that.

It depends on your commitment.

-Yeah.

-But faster.

Much, much faster.

You're not trying to treat me?

May I be honest with you?

Yes.

I couldn't care less about you.

I want my study to work and need bait.

You help me, I help you.

What you do then is your business.

You're really shrewd.

-Probably more than you think.

-Suits you better than concerned.

-That mean I can count you in?

-No.

Out.

Okay.

-Daniel? Hello?

-Hello.

Hey there.

Listen, I did some research.

How horrible.

The editorial team sends their best.

-Are you doing better?

-Tip-top.

-There are great people to pick you up.

-How nice. Great.

Listen,

I've got a sensation for both of us.

Someone cancelled and they're giving me

next week's Sunday interview.

-What?

-Right, here it is.

A two-page feature about your life.

An honest in-depth talk

about the ups and downs.

No tabloid bull, arts.

-Really?

-The question is how you're doing.

-Maybe this is all going a bit fast.

-No. It's...

Where are you?

-At home.

-Then we can meet there, right?

-Yes, anytime.

-Fab.

I'll talk to the photographer

and be in touch, okay?

Great. Till then.

So, Daniel Novak, how's he doing?

No way he can leave.

It's just not safe.

The whole six weeks, minimum.

You said he was doing great,

was enthusiastic.

-The judge is letting him go.

-What?

He can go to the outpatient hospital.

This isn't a prison. Good work.

Be happy!

Lissi! Lissi!

Right, next.

sh*t, man! sh*t, sh*t, sh*t!

f*ck! So close.

Tissue?

-What are you doing here?

-Could you move your seat, my knee...

-Why are you here?

-My knee.

The window was open,

judging by the water spots,

not for the first time.

How did you escape the hospital?

I guess this is what you meant

by us helping each other.

I didn't mean anything like that...

Oh, God!

-You can't be here.

-What are you doing?

Taking you back to the hospital.

I'd reconsider that if I were you.

Why?

Who put the key on my pillow?

I...

How careless.

-Are you blackmailing me?

-We have a deal.

Let me out and I'll help you.

Don't even think about it.

I won't go back.

I'm not waiting weeks

for the damn judge to let me go.

In the end they'll say I'm incapacitated

and I'll never get out.

Do you think they're already searching?

-Very possible.

-Okay, cover for me.

Okay.

Hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey! What now?

Check the situation, that's it.

You're in on it,

betray me and lose your license.

-It's a PhD, not a liquor license.

-Yeah, whatever.

DISCHARGE LETTER

PATIENT FILE

-And?

-Yes, everyone's looking for you.

What? Is there an APB out?

With all due respect to your fame,

a patrol car may stop by, no more.

-You're not an axe m*rder*r.

-Okay.

If I go down,

I'm dragging you down with me.

-I can already see it.

-I've got you over a barrel.

-How could I ever let that happen?

-Right.

Have a nice evening.

Maybe you can take me into town.

-I want...

-And your part of the deal?

Right, fine.

I'll help you with the study.

In the hospital you broke out of?

-Um...

-Yeah.

Then use your mailing list.

Right,

where are they all supposed to go?

I've got a spot where they can...

What do you mean "all"?

Yeah.

-What was your name again?

-Magdalena Hbner.

Konstantin Meininger.

Were there this many last time?

-Hi, I'm Sandra.

-I've got bait. Word got around.

-Oh boy!

- Dr. Dr. Waldstett.

I'm so looking forward to this.

-Me too.

-I love singing so much.

Come now, Helmut.

I'll put the muffins over there, okay?

Come on. Let's sit down here.

No, no way. Elaha.

-Where's your dad?

-My brother's at the bar.

-How do you know we're here?

-You look different in real life.

Better, I assume.

-Nope.

-Cool.

What's it like being famous?

-That's over.

-Good and bad.

-How?

-Pardon? Can you hear me?

-Elaha, you can't be here.

-Go on in.

Have fun.

No way,

she's from the outpatient hospital.

-She suffers from severe depression.

-Great! We'll cheer her up.

What we're doing here is no joke.

Do you care about people

or saliva samples?

You laugh, but this is bigger than us.

-She'll distort the outcome.

-So don't use her results.

Shall we get going?

I've got other things to do.

I took the liberty

of copying 310 for us.

-Thanks.

-It's "The Organ Grinder".

-Some of you may know this pretty...

-Yes, yes, come now.

Here I am. This is how I look.

Look. Look, look, look, look.

You can google the rest. Right.

Who's going to start?

-You...

-Sure.

-Helmut.

-Helmut.

Note.

So, singing is one thing,

singing together another.

It's got more to do with listening

than singing.

Come here, come into the middle.

Form a circle. Come on.

Arms around the person next to you,

heads together.

I'm just watching.

Come on.

Right.

Everyone who wants to

can sing Helmut's note.

And you?

-Hello. I'm Stefan.

-Sure, okay.

Note.

Close your eyes.

Okay, okay. Okay, there we go.

Right.

We'll play a game.

Anyone who wants to can change the note.

And here's the challenge,

only one person at a time.

Never two people at once.

How will we know with our eyes shut?

No need to come along.

-Here?

-I live here. Yes.

-Think I was a millionaire?

-I thought one hit and you were set.

Yeah, I sold the rights.

Had to.

I'm so tickled when it comes on

because I hate it

and someone else earns off it.

I see.

I'll find the apartment myself.

See you tomorrow at rehearsal.

If I'm still alive.

That's a joke, right?

You wouldn't do that, right?

What do you think?

It really was a joke.

Nothing you say will do me any good.

A little quip, a teeny-tiny wisecrack.

-I want to go home now.

-Certainly not.

Violating hospital rules, sure.

Aiding in your escape, fine by me.

But if you k*ll yourself,

I'll be screwed.

So this is where you live

with your 20 cats?

So funny. Don't touch anything.

How dumb.

-What is this?

-So Ulrike Meinhof had a daughter?

-You are unbearable.

-Know what's unbearable?

This mattress.

If you'd been up since four,

you'd need reading material too.

You've been going through my stuff

since then?

I thought it'd put me to sleep,

but it was pretty gripping.

We can swap if you'd like.

You should look after me better.

I could've k*lled myself three times.

-It was a joke!

-Maybe you should stop making jokes.

This is terribly awkward.

Tell me about it.

Can you turn the vent on?

Top switch.

-You stay here.

-Pardon me?

I have to work and cover our tracks.

Want to come in?

I think we need to talk in peace.

I'm not planning to do anything

and want to go home now.

-Stay put right there.

-I'm getting out.

What if I climb out the window?

This thing has an alarm?

It reacts to movement.

Make yourself at home.

What's this?

His discharge letter?

Are you sh1tting me?

I almost got into a fix.

Where is he?

-Discharged.

-By you?

-I thought it was more personal.

-Ah, okay.

-And the study?

-It's going well.

In a big room with lots of people.

He comes of his own accord.

He's realized that it's good for him.

And we've bonded a little.

Bonded? You?

Hey, I'm mixed up in this.

You forged my signature.

I mean, what'll be next?

Yes, exactly.

What?

It was all different before. I was...

-I was...

-CEO.

-Yes. Of Dera...

-Deraterm.

Term, that's right.

Pharmaceutical industry.

We lived all over the world.

Vancouver, Bangkok, Buenos Aires.

And worked.

And when I went into retirement,

Ellen wanted to go back home.

To the grandchildren.

-Yes.

-Right, no one knows.

They just know I'm taking a break.

Burnout.

It sounds better.

It's true, right?

Burnout sounds like work.

Depression, uh...

sounds like you're a loser.

Sorry, I couldn't leave her at home.

My ex was there.

When my mother sees him,

she yells at him,

and then the kids scream.

And then he yells, and then...

Sorry, what was the question again?

Oh yeah. Maybe I am sad, yes.

But maybe it's the only possibility

to have a bit of time for myself.

I think...

She had a daughter,

but I've never seen her.

Just imagine that.

My own grandchild.

Grandpa Uwe.

And so life just passes by.

I think I just don't like people.

But I'm still lonely.

With scissors, not too deep

but in the middle of class.

Why would you do that?

Why? You...

You have to talk.

Up to then I don't think anyone

in her class noticed she was there.

They all stare at their phones.

They ruin kids.

The stuff they look at all day

is soul destroying.

What can you do?

We've got her in therapy.

She can't go online or she loses

her phone, but it's not easy.

Strong-willed,

like her mother.

I thought...

people here had no reason to be sad.

But...

people always have a reason to be sad.

When people have time,

they are sad.

They wanted to introduce

gross national happiness

but the bunglers up top

can't cope as is.

-Thank you.

-They're not a model for anyone.

-A coworker and I...

-It's not recording.

Okay.

Right,

your turn.

For what?

-Your interview.

-But this isn't about me.

-The others don't know that.

-Yeah, but no one's here.

So we can forego the show.

Maybe it'd be a relief for you

to talk about your life.

By the way.

I could use a few hours

without a chaperon.

-What for?

-I have... an appointment

A date?

If you will.

Sure, that's... nice.

Okay.

Bring her here.

-What?

-Find a quiet corner.

I won't bother you.

It's good to have something

to look forward to.

That improves the prognosis.

Shall we begin?

Everyone!

-Favorite song.

-Yup.

Anything?

It has to mean something to you.

We'll sing it? In front of everyone?

We'll try. Right, who's going to start?

That's great!

What nice song do you have there?

-Are you sh1tting me?

-It's my favorite song.

-Why? What is it?

-Nothing.

Time, time, time, time, time, time

Time and again...

Okay, just so you know,

if anyone sings that song again,

this is over for me.

Okay?

All right, who wants to go?

You.

Me? Sami.

Sami. What have you got?

-"Get Lucky."

-Then go on and sing it.

A bit louder.

-Do you have it on your phone?

-Yes.

Ah, okay. Got it.

Right. Helmut.

-Yeah.

-Shall we?

Who else has a low voice?

I think I do.

The men with higher voices?

Okay.

Great.

Okay. The ladies with lower voices?

You sing a third higher.

Come on, join in.

We should be singing Christmas songs.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-You got a cigarette for me?

-Sure.

Thanks. Do you have a light too?

But you can smoke on your own, right?

Thanks. Bye.

Bye. Be safe.

Give it here.

You've reached Nina Dietrich.

Leave a message after the beep.

Hi, Nina, it's Daniel.

Actually, it may be tricky at my place.

But I've got a great place for us

to meet tomorrow. It's a bar.

What are you doing there?

-I'm done sleeping on the floor.

-Pardon?

Lymph gathers and my eyes swell.

Tomorrow's a big day.

-What's tomorrow?

-My date.

-Date?

-I have to look my best.

-Then sleep sitting up. Out!

-You do that on your crappy mattress.

Tomorrow is probably

my biggest day in years.

I have to be well rested.

Please get out of my bed at once.

-You're invading my privacy.

-Shut the door please.

This is my place,

and I'm not sleeping

on the floor like a dog.

I'm lying here.

I weigh 80 kilos.

What are you going to do?

Your date?

Did she...

You saw.

Maybe you and I should...

What?

... talk?

I promised no therapy,

but we both agree

that this situation is no good.

Please answer

the following questions truthfully.

How often have you considered suicide

in the last week?

-Ten: lots. One: never.

-You get this online?

No.

Psychiatric Crisis Support.

Is this personal or professional?

Let's stick to me asking the questions.

So do you harm yourself or not?

You think I like this?

-Leave me! Screw you!

-No one wants to be your babysitter.

-My dad took her phone away.

-Why?

A post with you in the background.

All of 17 likes.

Have fun. She's in a fighting mood.

Guys!

-Hi.

-Hi.

Change of plans.

Sami says he has a surprise.

What's with the getup?

So, let's go. We're waiting.

Coming!

I thought we could rehearse

elsewhere today.

-Sure, but here?

-Yeah, come on.

How did you find this place?

I like to go walking, alone.

-It's not very quiet where I sleep.

-And what are we doing here?

Nope.

Why are you here?

Your post clearly didn't work.

-It was a fail.

-Yeah.

I could've told you that before.

No one cares about me.

Okay.

Why are you here now?

Obviously not to sing.

-I've hardly heard you.

-I'm not singing in front of everyone.

You don't have to.

Easy.

When you're scared...

-I'm not.

-It's simple.

-You sing for someone else.

-I'm not scared.

You don't think about yourself.

This is bullshit. Sounds like crap.

You think?

-Everyone's staring at me.

-Wait...

Do you want them to look at you or not?

f*ck you.

Okay, right.

Then let's...

Why that song?

No idea.

-I used to listen to it for a while.

-Okay. When?

Two years ago.

What happened then?

-Nothing.

-Nothing?

No one.

Who?

My mom.

What about your mother?

Okay.

Looks good.

Thanks, Moni.

-Dexys Midnight what?

-Runners.

Who's that?

That was my song for Ellen.

-Which song?

-They only had one hit.

Ah, they're not the only ones.

Come on Eileen...

I swear...

Now I recognize it.

He thought it was funny.

Because of the name. Ellen, Eileen.

There was...

How was it?

-Doro.

-Yes, my daughter.

There was a concert.

And...

Doro was graduating

and Helmut was in Hong Kong.

-Was I?

-Yes.

And I thought, "That's it.

Our youngest is leaving us

and you don't even realize it."

It was the same with Moritz.

And I was a little...

I was thinking things over.

And Doro dragged me to this concert.

So we could have a nice time.

I'd never heard of the band,

but then our song came on.

And suddenly

Helmut was there in front of me,

not in Hong Kong.

-Yes!

-He and Doro had concocted a plan.

And he said that he would quit

if I wanted him to.

And he asked me if I'd marry him again,

for the rest of our lives.

-During "Come on Eileen"?

-Yes, he laid it on thick.

Yeah.

And?

Yes.

-Helmut!

-Yes, Helmut!

-Where's Doro?

-What?

We have to pick her up, it's late.

No, Helmut. Doro's 39 now.

Don't talk nonsense!

I've had a bit too much, dear.

Will you take me home?

Of course.

I'll get the car.

Do I have the key?

Here you go, dear.

-Thanks.

-Give me your arm.

-Here.

-So I don't stumble.

Here's my arm.

Right, now say good night.

To whom?

-Good night.

-Good night.

-Thank you.

-Are you coming?

Good night.

Good night.

-How does she do it?

-It's the kind of thing you hope for.

I couldn't do it.

No.

Uwe insists.

I know professionalism

from a wet sticky-fingered bar night.

Careful.

Your study is about happiness.

You might get a bit of that.

How many of those have you had?

Uwe says if you don't drink

we're not coming tomorrow.

Is everyone blackmailing everyone?

What's that?

You got another one?

Yes.

Boy oh boy, right?

Ms. PhD drank us under the table.

-Sure did.

-We all have a past.

And you were a combat drinker

on a Russian nuclear sub.

You're sure you can still drive?

I could drive you home

in a vegetative state.

-It's automatic.

-I can't drive.

I've always taken taxis.

We've got something in common.

Thanks.

And...

-And you?

-He's walking.

He... lives just around the corner.

Tomorrow everyone will know.

That we're a thing?

So funny!

You coming?

It gets really chilly

once the sun goes down.

Your date?

Sorry about how things went.

But, hey, some other time. All the best.

I've got a few more questions.

A truth for a truth.

Think you can handle that?

What is the crappiest,

saddest, most depressing story

of your life?

-Are we that close?

-For my part, yes.

Or can't you think of anything?

-I can think of a few.

-Then the worst.

My sister and I

wanted to impress my mother,

so we applied to adopt

a discarded laying hen.

We thought we were so great.

So there we stood in a parking lot

with about 12 other people

and this big truck rolled up.

They opened the hatch and there were...

about 1,000 miserable creatures

cooped up in the back.

You've never seen anything like it.

No feathers, some had broken wings.

In any case,

they stuck one of those creatures

in our box.

We'd cut a window in it

and drew around it,

so it was like a house,

la "Hello, welcome home."

And, um...

then they closed the tailgate.

I asked them what was going to happen

to the rest of them.

The guy didn't even get

what I was asking.

And what happened to your hen?

Died three days later.

That is the most depressing story

I've ever heard.

No, I learned a very important lesson.

You have to start elsewhere,

from the bigger picture.

You can't waste your time

when you help. Right, now you.

What was that message just now?

That was my two-page feature

in the Sunday edition

of the Frankfurt Times .

Seriously?

My interview went to an American

promoting a superhero movie

and they wanted to put me

in the gossip column but they...

gave that spot away.

To whom?

-A dog.

-A dog?

It got lost on vacation

and walked all the way back home.

2,000 km.

Okay, that's a pretty good story.

Better than mine?

-I'm starting to get it.

-What?

The unlocked apartment door,

the shot through the cheek.

It wasn't a...

"I'm outta here,"

it was a "Hey, I'm still here!"

You're up.

Something...

that you'd never tell me.

No one's looking for you.

-What?

-You'd been released.

Daniel, seriously,

they wouldn't search for you for weeks.

Hold on...

But....

is there anything else

you're hiding from me?

Just one question. My turn.

Do you really want to k*ll yourself?

Right now?

No.

Yesterday?

Tomorrow?

I can't imagine doing that now.

Happy?

Is there anything else

you're hiding from me?

I'll take a dare.

Okay.

I dare you to let me touch you.

Or truth after all?

No, I'm good.

You can't wipe it off.

-What's up with being touched?

-Nothing.

-I just don't like it.

-Has it always been that way?

It happened gradually. Hey!

-And I answered!

-Got you!

I'm up.

If you hate the song so much,

why did you write it?

I was studying and I wrote a paper

about patterns in pop and...

to demonstrate them I took

all sorts of components from old hits

and mixed them together

in a way that was barely legal.

That's it?

A pal sent it

to a radio station and it...

took off.

I thought it was just ironic

and that I'd eventually blow it all up.

But?

At some point it stopped being ironic.

The song won. It was stronger than me.

And the money was too good?

Yes, that too.

Okay, touch me here.

-Really?

-Yes.

You all right?

No... It's very nice.

Again, here.

-Okay, that's...

-It...

It works better when I do it.

And...

this is suddenly okay?

Shut up.

No, that's great.

-And your hands...

-To the side?

-All good? That work?

-Yes.

Does it hurt?

Great Lissi!

How dumb can you be!

Stefan!

-Just great!

-25,000 likes.

25,000?

-Man that's embarrassing.

-Overnight. It's sick.

-Stefan! Look!

-What's going on?

Sami posted Elaha's video.

And?

It's exploding, 700K!

The gossip papers posted it

in their banners.

Not that I read that crap,

just at the hairdresser's.

Not that I go to the hairdresser's.

When would I?

Of course they'd use that for sales.

Three poor interns scour the internet

all day for that stuff.

-Sports editor.

-Springer?

Not now.

I left with Chief Editor Reichelt.

Who's that?

Elaha.

Who?

-Elaha!

-She sings beautifully.

-Yes.

-Thanks.

Sure does.

-Hey, all, reason to celebrate!

-Oh yes!

-Yes!

-Yeah!

Could you maybe...

Let's hope it's not alcohol-free.

-Yeah.

-It'd be strange to refuse it.

So...

Yeah.

Our study was,

I hope, a terrific success.

And that wouldn't have been possible

without your trust and commitment.

Thank you.

What does that mean exactly?

-We're done.

-Done how?

Done.

Finito.

We're rehearsing my song today.

What about our choir?

There's the misunderstanding.

This isn't a choir, it's a study.

Studies end,

and we've reached that point.

Congrats. Cheers!

May I...

-I...

-Lissi, step outside with me. Now!

-They're on a first-name basis?

-Yeah?

-They're...

-They're not!

Hey!

What are you doing?

-Come again?

-This isn't about the study.

-Right?

-Baloney.

But there are bigger things than us.

Let's try to keep this professional.

Yeah,

because this is all so professional.

You got a bit too involved for that.

That's right, and that's over.

Five weeks is enough.

The sample size isn't huge, but...

-Be glad, you're free.

-What?

Sorry, I got a...

DM from a TV station.

-A late show.

-The Late Night Show !

Yeah, they're asking if we'll...

If you and your depressed people's choir

will go on the show.

Yes.

Don't you dare!

-What?

-How'd they get your number?

What? I have no idea.

Maybe they want us to sing.

-You think?

-Of course.

-They struck TV gold.

-I will have to go the hairdresser's.

-Me on TV?

-I'll get the car.

Helmut, stay here.

You can't do that.

Would you come with me?

-No, I want...

-Now!

These aren't healthy people.

Hold on. What?

-You end the choir, now it's about them?

-It's not a choir!

-The people? Okay.

-We have a responsibility!

-How many kids does Uwe have?

-Me?

Don't listen.

Two daughters.

-That's irrelevant!

-Not to him.

Because neither of them talks to him.

That's why he's unhappy.

How many years has Sami been waiting

for his asylum decision?

-How shabby.

-You don't know.

She doesn't care. To her you're points

on a scale from -5 to +5.

This isn't an act for a late night show.

It's not my decision.

Ask the group what they want.

They want

what everyone wants, obviously.

I forbid it!

Please.

I'd say for now we rehearse

then we can discuss it later tonight.

Good night.

Sandra, please just go home.

You think he's doing this for you?

All he cares about is the audience.

To him people are a means to an end!

Then we have something in common.

Get in here, let's do our note.

Just one note.

Hi, hi. Yes...

You just left a message... Yes.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow...

We'll be there tomorrow.

Sure, we'd be glad to.

There's your hit.

They just know I'm taking a break.

-Yes, yes. And how is that for you?

-This isn't about me.

Sorry.

-And how is that for you?

-This isn't about me.

Sorry.

This isn't sassy enough, is it?

-Looks fab.

-Yeah.

I'm only drinking water.

-I'm feeling queasy.

-Me too.

Excuse me.

Some hairspray, my hair's totally flat.

I'll do it myself. Thanks.

-Hey, Lena. Move. Come on.

-Okay.

It'll settle.

Can you touch this up?

I'm sweating like this salami.

Me too.

Look at you!

Too much?

No.

No.

Where's the boss?

-Daniel.

-Yes.

-Hello, everyone!

-Hello!

-Your entrance is clear?

-Yes.

Okay, you'll go over and sit down

on the couch for the interview.

Is the interview

before or after the performance?

Whatever. I'll just ask him.

After the performance.

Hey, Daniel! Leave it.

Daniel!

Hey, man.

Hello. How are you?

-Beard's gray, I'm getting fat.

-Yeah.

But how are you?

-Awesome!

-You look damn good.

-Never been better.

-Yeah, crazy.

What an amazing story.

I didn't know that you...

Yeah, Carolin has phases like that too,

as you know.

But super inspiring.

We need stories like this.

-Yeah.

-The b*mb.

-Let's talk about it out there.

-Yeah.

-Then we won't blow it all here.

-Sure.

Nice! Sweet. Good to have you back.

Daniel?

Daniel! You coming?

-Yes?

-Grmel-Waldstett.

Hey!

Here we are! Coolest g*ng ever.

Now tune out and just enjoy it.

This is...

-Did you eat a croissant?

-Pardon?

-There's powdered sugar.

-I don't want to unsettle anyone, but...

Where's Helmut?

Sorry,

this is against the rules, but I...

Come in.

-No answer.

-f*ck, man!

Stefan?

-You think something's happened?

-No! They just took a wrong turn.

Call again. Yalla yalla!

We're running out of time.

Give me that.

Come on, Helmut!

How long?

Since this morning.

I laid his clothes out, like always,

and he suddenly screamed,

"Who are you?"

"What are you doing in my house?"

It was the first time

he didn't recognize me.

I knew right away

I couldn't do it anymore.

But I promised him I would.

Twice even.

That we'd be there for each other.

They can care for him better.

Oh yes, it's wonderful.

If you have money,

it goes off without a hitch.

But...

the way he looked at me

when I left...

He wasn't sad or furious at all,

just surprised.

He doesn't know who I am now,

but he's dumbstruck

that I would leave him alone

with all those strangers.

A group of people meet

in a psychiatric hospital

and decide to sing

to battle their sadness.

Alright guys, it's go time.

On your positions.

Nothing.

-How will I hit my note?

-What?

f*ck! He's right.

No, no, no! Hey, hey, hey! Don't panic.

-You have your note.

-Without Helmut...

Please welcome Daniel Novak

and friends with "Wrecking Ball"!

Sing.

Come on. Hey, hey!

-Sometimes it's better to pre-record.

-It's no problem.

-We'll just start again.

-Jrgen!

It's fine. We can start again.

-Should we start again or...

-Again.

Okay. Do you need anything?

That was a feast for the ears.

Detailed and full of taste.

-I'd be depressed if I sang like her.

-Talentless but ballsy with the outfit.

Hello?

Open up!

Hello, open the door!

THERE, YOU'VE GOT YOUR HIOkay.

-You've reached Sandra...

-f*ck! f*ck!

f*ck!

Useless.

We're out.

How do you know that?

Great show yesterday.

See, the song's not so bad.

Yeah.

Are you happy now?

You?

-Study turned out good?

-Great.

Better than I expected.

Okay. Was everyone adequately happier?

Yes, but that singing

makes people happier is old news.

It wasn't about that.

What then?

You.

-Huh? What?

-Your curve went up, drastically.

And you barely sang.

I thought I... I was the...

bait.

You were the fish.

The others were the bait.

Know what else makes people happy?

There are hardly any studies on it

because it doesn't fit

in our vile world.

Helping others.

But it's not especially glitzy.

You won't get a dime for it.

Until someone happens into your life,

an egomaniac,

a dopamine junkie,

a naturally self-centered person.

If the happiness markers

in his saliva suddenly sh**t up

the very moment

he starts taking care of others,

then that's...

"Legit."

The hospital called earlier.

The foundation of some billionaire

who probably got rich

with child labor and weapons

who's feeling altruistic in his old age

made me an offer to do a genuine,

fully financed large-scale study.

Someone finally sees

the sense in happiness research.

Congrats.

Thanks.

Can you even use my name?

Yup, you signed off on it.

Did I?

You think every signature

is an autograph.

That's heinous.

I was forced to adapt.

And how are you doing?

I'm fantastic. Thanks.

Why are you here then?

-One of us?

-It's Hazel.

Hey, yeah. I'll be right...

What?

Hey, what's going on?

Elaha.

-She was posting live while she did it?

-To give the haters what they wanted.

-What did they write?

-You don't want to know!

We're such a nasty species.

Guys...

How is she?

Physically she's fine.

How did you find her?

I follow her.

Sami saw the live stream.

Uwe recognized the roof

she was standing on.

So you called the police?

-No.

-You know how she reacts to authority.

We drove there.

-You guys?

-Who else?

-Sandra distracted her.

-Sami grabbed her.

She hasn't talked since.

She talked yesterday.

-What did she say?

-My life, my business.

Look, she's in the clear.

I think it may be best if you left.

Yes.

May I please talk to her?

She's not in the clear.

No one's in the clear

if they don't want to be.

I'm the only one who really gets her.

Please just let me talk to her.

I never told you

the second part of the story.

Which story?

How the chicken died.

No.

I k*lled it.

I had it in bed.

I was afraid it'd freeze or...

feel lonely or whatever.

The next morning it was dead.

I was probably

holding it too tightly

or rolled over it in my sleep.

I didn't get out of bed for three days.

Literally.

I couldn't drink, I couldn't eat.

I didn't have to go to the bathroom.

On the third day my mom made me drink

to keep me out of the hospital.

-Broth.

-Sure.

But not...

Would've been a waste otherwise.

Your mother really is hardboiled.

So was the chicken.

How can it work, Daniel?

As soon as I get involved,

things turn to sh*t.

Anything I touch turns into a disaster.

I need to be kept away from people.

I don't do them any good.

Maybe you weren't too involved, but...

not enough.

She wants to talk to you.

Hey.

Shut the door.

How are you?

Close the curtain.

Okay.

Give me your phone.

-Sorry?

-They won't give me mine.

Why do you want it?

-To check.

-What?

-How many views.

-For the video?

That's irrelevant.

Look who's talking.

-I'm not doing that.

-Okay, then get lost.

892K.

How many comments?

Look at me.

Hey, look at me!

Do you get the feeling it worked at all?

That I lived a super happy life?

-I'm not like you.

-Everyone says that.

But everyone wants to be famous.

Why is that? Huh?

Believe me, once you are,

you do everything to keep it that way.

You make a fool of yourself.

You're famous for the wrong things.

Yet you keep going

until there's nothing left but...

a joke.

You're ashamed about

how people look at you, but keep going

because it's better to be a joke than...

to not be seen.

No one sees me.

I'm already a joke.

I don't get it.

What makes you happy?

Not being caught up in yourself.

Jackpot! Three kids and welfare...

I should be high as a kite.

But if you say

we're all happier now, then...

then that's good, right?

But are we?

All of us?

-Elaha too?

-According to her results, definitely.

-She was happy.

-Yet here we are.

And we can't do a thing.

This is driving me nuts.

Doesn't anyone have an idea?

Maybe he's right.

-Who?

-I have to reveal more of myself.

That's how I'll reach her.

Why are people like that?

-Who exactly?

-Why do they like bashing people?

We're an as*h*le species

who could use an apocalypse.

Weren't you supposed to cheer me up?

I...

know squat about life.

I'll have to keep checking

Instagram for wisdoms.

The sun outside will never do

unless you shine within.

What if there's no light in here?

I've been asking myself that

for 49 years.

And?

I think...

You take all the love you can get

and hope it's enough.

-But it's not enough?

-No.

But maybe Lissi's right.

With what?

Maybe it's not about

the love you can get.

But?

Forget what I said about Lissi.

What are you doing?

Showing what's inside me.

-That's inside you?

-It's Carole King.

-Be quiet for a second.

-Stop this now.

These people have enough problems.

What's up with you?

Why are you coming at me like that?

Can I have my phone?

What?

He promised me.

I what?

Are you f*cking serious?

YOUR FEED IS WAITING

A little follow-up, then I'm out.

I always thought an app like this

was like a window,

but it's a mirror.

To everyone

who was so glad to be there yesterday,

who was hating on me,

that's your mirror.

Take a look at yourselves.

Bye.

DELETE PROFILE?

DELETE

That's why you wanted my phone?

I said I wasn't like you.

I could've saved my words then.

No, I wouldn't say so.

Your window was open again.

I was going to climb in to surprise you,

but my kneecap still isn't quite right.

What are you up to?

I quit,

or rather I quit before I got fired.

I...

I heard they want

to do the study after all.

It was a great story after all.

Yes, as long as I'm not involved.

Yeah, it's probably better that way.

It's about something bigger.

Take care, Daniel.

-Daniel.

-Please don't be startled.

She doesn't look great,

but the vet said we can pep her up.

Oh God!

Yes, yes, yes.

-Do you know what else he said?

-No.

He said it can die of shock at any time.

Because it's got it so good

all of a sudden.

You couldn't do anything about it.

Lissi, I know

a chicken doesn't mean the world,

but this means the world

to this chicken.

Did you read that on Instagram?

Too much?

Yes.

I wanted to ask

if you'd go on a second date with me.

Not alone,

I've got this group of amateurs.

We're short a voice.

We're studying whether singing makes

sad people happier.

-Enjoy.

-Thanks.

Thanks so much.

Look, a nice cake.

It looks good.

Eat, dear.

Lissi.

-Come here.

-Please. I really can't.

Come on.

I can't do it, I'll just ruin it.

Why are you crying?

-Just because, dear.

-Look, I got us the best seats.

I've...

We've...

Helmut.

Will you...

Will you...

Will you marry me again?

For the rest of our lives?

I... I...

You're completely crazy.

What kind of a question is that?

Of course, Elli!

Of course.