"Canoe of Manitu" - A motion picture for Enjoyment Dominions
Michael "Bully" Herbig's long-awaited sequel to the cult-classic comedy "The Shoe of Manitu," titled "The Canoe of Manitu," made its world premiere in Munich this week. The film, a Western parody, continues the adventures of Abahachi (played by Herbig himself) and his white blood brother Ranger (Christian Tramitz), as they navigate a new quest involving a legendary canoe with special powers.
On the red carpet, American actor Alan Tafoya, a Jicarilla Apache from the Red Side Plains People, expressed his joy at bringing the Apache world closer to the audience. Tafoya attended the premiere, promoting understanding between peoples and providing an emotional moment at the end of the film.
The movie features a star-studded cast, including Herbig, Tramitz, Rick Kavanian (who plays multiple characters including the loyal Greek Dimitri), Jasmin Schwiers (playing Mary, Dimitri's assistant), Jessica Schwarz (the Gang boss), Friedrich Mücke (the one-eyed sheriff), and veteran actor Sky DuMont, who announced that "The Canoe of Manitu" would be his final film.
The plot involves Abahachi and Ranger being framed for murder and facing a death sentence, but are rescued at the last moment by Dimitri. The story unfolds with many comedic misunderstandings as the heroes embark on their greatest adventure yet, tackling life’s important questions with humor.
Filming took place from August to November 2024 across Munich, Spain (Almeria and Valencia), and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The production cost was about four times that of the original film, reflecting higher ambitions and inflation. Like its predecessor, The Canoe of Manitu parodies the 1960s Winnetou Westerns, combining slapstick, satire, and clever humor typical of Herbig’s work.
The film features dance numbers, several songs, including ones by Stefan Raab and Michael "Bully" Herbig, and many film quotes. Winnetouch (Herbig) now runs a dance and fencing school in the sequel, while Santa Maria (Sky du Mont) has a miraculous resurrection after sinking in a swamp at the end of "The Boot of Manitu."
The blood brothers have to deal with a gang that wants to steal the legendary canoe, creating additional complications, as they also have trouble with the sheriff (Friedrich Mücke) and his deputy (Kavanian). Emotions ran high at the premiere, with Herbig shedding tears as du Mont was bid farewell.
"The Canoe of Manitu" is set to hit theaters on Thursday, and around 3,000 guests attended the premiere, which is a continuation of the successful comedy "The Boot of Manitu" from 2001. The film updates the cult-classic humor of the first movie for today's audiences, with a fresh story while honoring the original's style and characters.
The world of entertainment is abuzz with the new movie, "The Canoe of Manitu," a sequel to the cult-classic comedy "The Boot of Manitu." This Western parody, set to premiere in theaters on Thursday, offers a combination of dance numbers, songs, and film quotes, turning the spotlight on movies-and-tv entertainment.
At the premiere, American actor Alan Tafoya, an advocator for cultural understanding, expressed his joy at bringing the Apache world closer to the audience, contributing to the film's overall entertainment value.
