Chantal im Märchenland (Chantal in Fairyland)
Germany 2024

Opening 28 Mar 2024

Directed by: Bora Dagtekin
Writing credits: Bora Dagtekin
Principal actors: Jella Haase, Gizem Emre, Mido Kotaini, Max von der Groebe, Maria Ehrich

Chantal (Jella Haase) is at the beginning of her career as an influencer when she steps through a mirror and finds herself in a fairy tale. She identifies as Sleeping Beauty. Her best friend Zeynep (Gizem Emre) follows her through the mirror. Chantal’s goal, naturally, is to find a man, definitely a prince. Perhaps she will marry Prince Bosco (Max von der Groeben). She already has a wedding gown, but he seems to be more interested in men. Her friend, Aladdin (Mido Kotaini), has a magic lamp; he rubs it, and people appear. She works to finish making a flying carpet. There is a wicked witch, Sansara (Nora Tschirner), who sometimes looks old, but more often young. Her friend Zeynep ends up in a grave but reappears. An elderly rather fat fairy pops up occasionally. Chantal must fight a dragon.

Besides “Sleeping Beauty” and “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp” there are references to other fairy tales, e.g., “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, “Hansel and Gretel”, and “Little Red Riding Hood.” This, however, is not your typical fairy tale. Although Chantal lives in a gorgeous castle and wears beautiful, old-fashioned, long dresses, she carries her mobile phone at all times. Who ever saw a mobile phone in a fairy tale? It’s also not a film for children under twelve years old, since we hear “fuck” or “bitch,” and two young naked men kiss in bed. My twelve-year-old colleague, Amber, enjoyed the film. She understood the plot better than I did and recognized Jella Haase, as having also played Chantal in the film Fack ju Göhte (2013), which is also directed by Bora Dagtekin. The theme “friendship and freedom” is supported by fifteen songs. (Becky Tan)