Delighted to celebrate the birth of Helge Schneider!

Congratulations on your birth, Helge Schneider! - Delighted to celebrate the birth of Helge Schneider!

Helge Schneider, the renowned German comedian and musician, is celebrating his 70th birthday on August 30th, and to mark the occasion, a documentary about his life and career titled "The Klimperclown" is now available to watch in the ARD Mediathek.

The documentary, produced by Radius Films and Florianfilm in cooperation with SWR and WDR, offers a unique insight into Schneider's world. Directed and co-produced by Schneider himself together with his longtime guitarist and friend Sandro Giampietro, "The Klimperclown" is a lively collage that fits Schneider's oeuvre perfectly.

The film is not a chronological biography or a traditional documentary with "talking heads." Instead, it takes the form of a creative and humorous exploration of Schneider's life and work. Viewers can expect to see footage from Schneider's childhood home, as well as grainy excerpts from earlier performances.

One of the standout moments in the documentary is Schneider's performance of "In the Bathhouse," a song from his 1993 album "There's Rice, Baby," which is about a heckler. Schneider's style, which is described as highly silly, philosophical, jazzy, and crazy, shines through in this performance, and he remains as hilarious and idiosyncratic as ever.

Another memorable moment is Schneider's visit to Peter Kraus and Alexander Kluge, during which he performs his absurdly funny song "Katzeklo" about cat ownership. Schneider's studio, filled with wonderful odds and ends, is also featured in the documentary.

In addition to Schneider and Giampietro, "The Klimperclown" features appearances from Peter Thom and Buddy Casino, Bodo, the tea seller, and Gleitmann, the bearded expression dancer. The documentary ends with Schneider's gaze over the sun-dappled horizon, offering a poignant and thoughtful conclusion to this fascinating exploration of one of Germany's most beloved comedians and musicians.

For those who want to see Schneider perform live, they will have the opportunity to do so on August 20, 2025, when "The Klimperclown" airs on the First channel at 10:50 PM. Schneider has stated that he has no plans to stop performing because he loves doing it and always wants to.

In "The Klimperclown," Schneider offers a glimpse into his world, and viewers are sure to come away with a new appreciation for his talent and humour. Whether you are a longtime fan or new to Schneider's work, "The Klimperclown" is a must-watch for anyone who loves music, comedy, and a good dose of absurdity.