“Rotzbub” Brings Bavarian filmmaker into a New Cinematic World
Stegen – The Groundlift Studio in Stegen was packed for a screening of the animated film ”Rotzbub,” presented as part of the “Humor and Film” series. This event marked another triumphant collaboration between the Munich-based Forum Humor and Comic Art e. V. and the Groundlift, following a July visit from Gerhard Polt. This time, director Marcus H. Rosenmüller and producer Ernst Geyer journeyed to Ammersee to discuss the creation of Rosenmüller’s first foray into animation, a project that has garnered meaningful awards.
The conversation quickly revealed the unconventional nature of “Rotzbub” for Rosenmüller. he confessed with a chuckle that he initially felt completely unprepared for the world of animation, requiring considerable persuasion from Geyer to take on the project. He now expresses gratitude for that encouragement. Animation, he explained, demanded a completely self-contained production process - “everything had to be made in-house,” from the smallest prop to the most detailed character. The film’s distinctive characters were directly inspired by the caricatures of austrian illustrator Manfred Deix,initially developed in 2D before transitioning to 3D. A significant challenge was establishing the spatial layout of the fictional village, determining the placement of key locations like the school and hairdresser to create a cohesive environment. Adding to the complexity, the production operated under a tight budget, with Rosenmüller openly acknowledging the limited support received from Bayerischer Rundfunk.
Geyer elaborated on the film’s lengthy growth, tracing its origins back to 2002, with the script taking over a year to refine in close collaboration with Deix. Sadly, Deix did not live to see the completed film, passing away in 2016.
The producer emphasized the painstaking, piece-by-piece nature of animated filmmaking, noting that sound design is crucial, being added later to truly “bring the film to life.” He also revealed a charming detail: the extended production timeline resulted in the inclusion of “production babies” in the credits – children born to the team during the film’s creation.
Rosenmüller shared how his immersive experience with “Rotzbub” proved invaluable in his subsequent work on the new Pumuckl series. He found immense satisfaction in revitalizing the world originally created by Deix. while the film enjoyed considerable success in Austria and southern Germany, the summer release date proved less than ideal, as favorable weather kept audiences away from cinemas. Despite this, “Rotzbub” achieved international recognition, including a screening at a prominent French animation festival.
The film is set in 1967 in the deeply conservative Austrian village of Siegheilkirchen, a setting steeped in bigotry, racism, and hypocrisy. The story centers on a young, artistically gifted boy nicknamed “Snotty Boy,” who finds solace from the village’s constraints through his drawings and caricatures. The arrival of a group of Roma ignites tensions, with some villagers plotting an attack fueled by xenophobia. However, the boy’s burgeoning romance with Mariolina, a young Roma girl, sets events on a different course.
Beyond its satirical elements,”Rotzbub” serves as a cinematic childhood biography of Manfred Deix,reflecting his humorous,incisive,and uncompromising perspective on society. Mariolina is, in fact, a depiction of Mariatta Deix, his wife of many years.
The Groundlift audience responded enthusiastically, erupting in laughter from the film’s opening scenes. The blend of dark humor, sharp satire, and endearing character development clearly resonated with viewers. Rosenmüller, pressed for time, was unable to extend the post-film discussion but expressed his eagerness to return in the future.
Anton Morbitzer
