Exploring a range of props from footwear to watercraft, the new comedy film "The Canoe of Manitu" by director Bully Herbig invites audiences to join in on the laughter.
In the world of German cinema, the long-awaited sequel to the cult classic "Kanu des Manitu," a follow-up to the 2001 hit "Der Schuh des Manitu," has made its debut. The film, released in 2025, has received mixed reactions, with some appreciating its humorous spin on the original while others question its approach to cultural sensitivity.
The film, directed by Michael Bully Herbig, continues the "Winnetou" parody style popularized in the original, blending slapstick and double-entendre dialogue. This comedic approach, reminiscent of Herbig's signature style, has been well received by many fans of the original. The film's success is evident in its box office performance, grossing nearly $9.7 million worldwide, and its moderate audience reception on IMDb, with an average rating of 6.3/10.
However, in the context of modern humor and cultural sensitivity, "Kanu des Manitu" faces challenges. The original film parodied the Winnetou Westerns of the 1960s, a genre now under scrutiny for stereotypical and culturally insensitive portrayals of Native Americans. While the new film maintains the tongue-in-cheek approach, there is an implicit recognition that such humor, based on ethnic caricatures and outdated tropes, may be problematic or less acceptable today.
One notable scene in the new film is a brief, touching moment where Abahachi apologizes to "real" indigenous people. This acknowledgment of the potential issues with the portrayal of Native Americans is a noteworthy step towards addressing contemporary sensitivities.
The film's humor, while rooted in the original's success, has also evolved. For instance, Abahachi is heard saying to his horse Jacqueline, "Slowly, Jacqueline, otherwise you'll throw up again!" - a nod to the film's slapstick tradition with a modern twist.
Developed from the Western sketches of the TV comedy show "Bullyparade," "Kanu des Manitu" also features a larger female presence. Jessica Schwarz plays the boss of a seven-man gang, and Jasmin Schwiers is Dimitri's love interest, increasing the women's quota by 100%.
The question remains whether a simple repetition of the successful concept is artistically sufficient for the new film. Some critics find it a lukewarm string of gags, while others recognise witty references to Karl May and Western classics.
Despite the mixed reviews, the film has managed to attract a significant audience, although it faces the challenge of attracting five million viewers, which would require every third viewer from the original to come out of hiding again.
Animal rights organization PETA is likely to leave the new film alone due to its empathy towards animals. The film also contains numerous film references, including an engraving on a horse-drawn carriage mirror from "Jurassic Park."
In summary, "Kanu des Manitu" is enjoyed as a nostalgic comedy continuation, but its humor based on ethnic parody may not fully align with current standards for cultural sensitivity, leading to a cautious or mixed critical stance reflective of changing societal values.
The film, available on various streaming platforms under the category 'movies-and-tv' within the 'entertainment' sector, presents a comical continuation of the long-standing "Kanu des Manitu" series. With its humorous spin on the original, it carefully acknowledges potential concerns about cultural sensitivity.
