Der Schuh des Manitu 2 brings back three of the original’s biggest stars. But the most important name is missing. Without Sky du Mont, we wouldn’t be talking about the song from the Superperforator ad today
At the beginning of the year, Michael “Bully” Herbig dropped a bombshell when he announced the sequel to his biggest cinema hit, Das Kanu des Manitu. Over 20 years later, the story of Der Schuh des Manitu continues. In the course of the announcement, three personalities were named. In addition to Bully, Christian Tramitz and Rick Kavanian are back on board – as actors and screenwriters.
What could possibly go wrong? The golden comedy trio once again ventures into the Wild West to unleash a gigantic gag parade in the footsteps of Winnetou and co. But wait, not so fast! There is no sign of the most reliable gag supplier in Der Schuh des Manitu 2. Without Sky du Mont, the first movie would only have been half as good and, above all, half as funny.
The casting of the Eyes Wide Shut star was the original’s greatest stroke of genius
Sky du Mont steals every scene in Der Schuh des Manitu as the charming villain Santa Maria
As villain Santa Maria, Sky du Mont conquers Bully’s recreated Western world. He steps out of a saloon to the sound of gruff guitars, which shortly afterwards actually turns out to be a backdrop and simply tips over when he first encounters the cork of a champagne bottle. Before that: close-ups of black cowboy boots, spurs, sunglasses and a hat. And the casual lighting of the match – all in slow motion, of course.
(Der Schuh des Manitu)
Sky du Mont’s arrival transforms Der Schuh des Manitu into the power metal version of a Morricone western that would love to be a Matrix movie. “Straight to hell”, it bellows on the soundtrack, while Santa Maria moves gleefully into the picture and puts on one of his outrageous grins. He is an ass. And Sky du Mont gives him exactly the kind of repulsive charm you can’t resist. Disgusting
The role models are obvious, the poses transparent and yet there’s no denying a certain coolness and a feel for the right timing. Much of this is in the staging, which enthusiastically quotes and emulates striking gestures from Hollywood cinema. However, much of the coolness and timing is also down to Sky du Mont’s performance, who seems extremely relaxed at every second.
Sky du Mont sings and dances: Or how I learned to love the song from the Superperforator ad
Bully in particular really gets into his multiple roles in front of the camera. Sky du Mont looks as if he stumbled into this film purely by chance and took advantage of the opportunity to get up to some mischief. He is the most serious and at the same time the most unserious actor in the cast of Der Schuh des Manitu. He doesn’t need more than a casual nod of the head to swap the booming metal for a light jingle.
(Der Schuh des Manitu)
“Do you have one last wish?” asks Santa Maria in the most memorable scene of the movie. His voice fluctuates between arrogant, confident and politely interested. He doesn’t expect an answer. When Winnetouch actually makes a wish, namely the song from the Superperforator commercial, Santa delivers against all expectations. Without hesitation. As if he had secretly been hoping for exactly that.
No wonder Bully smuggled an encore of this musical sequence into (T)Spaceship Surprise – Period 1. Santa am Mittag is Sky du Mont’s well-deserved victory lap after his great Der Schuh des Manitu performance, garnished with the Schnuffi-Puffi song and probably the most insane shot of his entire career: the close-up of his grin when he rings the bell as Santa Maria.
The hilarious unpredictability of Santa Maria: If you want, you can get an ice cream now
What makes Sky du Mont so fascinating in Der Schuh des Manitu: He plays an evil character with the generosity of a mendacious gentleman who is bored of everything and probably even himself. Nevertheless, his Santa Maria also takes great pleasure somewhere in the Western cliché that he embodies. And it is precisely at this moment that he says something completely banal that undermines the expectations of a creep.
(Der Schuh des Manitu)
“Now everyone goes to the loo again … and then we ride off.” Gaga level 100 and an artificial pause whose perfect execution would have made even Stanley Kubrick tremble. Sky du Mont brings an amusing unpredictability to his acting. Whenever you think you know what makes Santa Maria tick, he inquires with a diplomatic gesture whether anyone else happens to want an ice cream.
Stream now: Here you can watch Der Schuh des Manitu on Amazon
At some point, of course, you will have figured out the rhythm of this comedy and can guess which joke will be dug up next with the folding chair. But here, too, Sky du Mont proves to be the most valuable star in the Manitou cosmos: he lands even the clumsiest punchline with the same dedication with which he scatters his artistic pauses – and does so with outrageous ease.
