SAD JOKES

Germany, 2024, 96 minutes, Colour.

Fabian Stumm, Hayley Louise Jones, Justus Meyer, Ulrica Flach, Jonas Dassler.

Directed by Fabian Stumm.

Sad jokes is an evocative title, especially when the first few minutes of the film offering a range of characters telling said jokes, corny jokes, pun jokes.

But, this is a story of Joseph, and gay filmmaker, played by Fabian Stumm who has written, directed, starred in this film. After the success of his first film, he has discussions with the producer about making a comedy, the producer somewhat sceptical, asking what kind of comedy, Joseph floundering – but, this film itself probably the equivalent of what he was proposing, sadness and humour.

Joseph his co-raising a little boy, the son of Sonya, prone to depression and spending time in institutions. But Joseph relishes his time as the boy’s father and bonds with him. There are some neighbours, characters, who support him in trying to help Sonya. Sonya has some vivid scenes, frantic in the kitchen, going back to the institution, but emerging and a powerful sequence where she relates a therapy experience in imagining and telling a story, indicating hopes for the future.

Which means that this is a different kind of domestic comedy with serious overtones. And, probably reflecting some of the experiences of Fabian Stumm in his filmmaking career.

1. The title, the comedy aspects, the same human aspects? In the opening with the range of jokes told and audience response? The mood?
2. The German setting, German humour, German sadness?
3. Joseph’s story, Fabian Stumm and his writing, performing, directing? Character and personality, gay man, breaking up with the partner, the later encounter and their conversation, his partner moving on? His relationship with Sonja? Her pregnancy, the birth of the boy? The Platonic relationship, bringing up the boy together? His happiness in being a father? The scenes together? His work as a filmmaker, his success, the discussions with his producer, discussions about the film is set in filmmaking, the prospects for the future, his wanting to do a comedy, the producer asking what kind of comedy, his presenting the manuscript, the producer not finding it funny?
4. This film itself is the equivalent of Joseph’s proposal for the comedy, idiosyncratic humour, serious themes?
5. Sonia, the depression, in the institution, getting out, at home, frantic behaviour, the cooking, with her son, Connie and Alice and their supporting Joseph? Her going back to the institution? The later visit, karma, her April to discuss the situation, the telling the story of the therapy, imagining the situation, open to change?
6. The neighbours, Connie and Alice, characters, the subplot of their lives, their support for Joseph?
7. The boy, his age, with each of his parents, his situation, vitality?
8. Joseph, the art class, the men posing, the later contact, the message, Joseph responding, it is tension, the man moving off?
9. Joseph and the success of this film, the prospects for future film? And the prospects of his life, a combination of sadness and jokes?