Three years ago, director Karoline Herfurth scored a box office success with “Wunderschön,” selling 1.7 million cinema tickets. Now, its sequel, “Wunderschöner,” is hitting the big screen.

Initially, Herfurth had no intention of making a sequel. The 40-year-old actress, director, and screenwriter felt that “Wunderschön” had told the full story. However, as she began brainstorming a new project, she found herself returning to the same themes explored in her previous film.

Exploring Different Perspectives on Major Themes

By delving deeper into the subject of body image, Herfurth naturally arrived at a broader discussion of sexuality. “When you examine body pressure in more depth, you quickly arrive at questions like: What is sexuality? How did we grow up with it? What images do we have of it? How has it shaped us?” she explains. She believes the episodic storytelling approach allows her to explore these significant themes from multiple perspectives, balancing light-hearted, humorous moments with more dramatic ones.

A Natural Progression from “Wunderschön”

“Wunderschöner” is a logical continuation of its predecessor. Rather than resting on past success and repeating the same formula, Herfurth expands on the topic, taking it further while retaining the original characters from “Wunderschön.” The film revisits figures like Sonja and Milan, who are now living apart, and former model Julie, who struggles in her new role as a production manager for a tabloid show. Another returning character is the determined teacher Vicky, played by Nora Tschirner, who frequently challenges her students with her feminist views.

New Character Dynamics

In addition to familiar faces, new relationships emerge, allowing Herfurth to explore sexuality from fresh angles. One subplot follows Nadine and her husband, a local politician, who has been unfaithful with a sex worker. The tone of the story takes a darker turn.

**- “Oh, by the way, I brought your prostitute.”

• “What is she doing here?”

• “That’s your first question?”

• “Oh, God, Nadine, of course not, but you can’t just bring her here.”

• “She needs help.”

• “Okay, can we talk about this rationally? What exactly are you planning to do?”

• “Well, for starters, I’m not planning on sleeping with her while she’s in distress.”

• “Distress? She’s a prostitute. She didn’t exactly seem like she was in trouble.”

• “She’s 21.”

Pushing the Audience Out of Their Comfort Zone

Herfurth deliberately challenges her audience, addressing topics such as sexual harassment, personal boundaries, body image, relationship dynamics, and prostitution. Her aim is not to provide an exhaustive analysis but to create ambiguity and provoke thought. “Right now, I think many people are finding it difficult to remain hopeful. We’re witnessing a patriarchal backlash, and the space we recently gained is shrinking again,” she says. Her goal is to create spaces where people feel seen and understood. “Spaces where people realise they are not alone in their beliefs and can share in the hope of a more colourful, inclusive, and safer future.”

A Clear Message Without Moral Preaching

The film delivers a strong message without being preachy. Instead of moralising, it simply observes—especially where it hurts. “Wunderschöner” is a film with a distinct stance, guided by a director who is unafraid to tackle uncomfortable truths head-on.