Angela Merkel is always in the crossfire of criticism, but at the same time admired by many opponents. But if there is something for which the Chancellor is not really known and loved, then it is her appearance. And yet it is precisely this that forms the basis for the professional success of two other women: Susanne Knoll and Marianne Schätzle. The two women work as Angela Merkel lookalikes and have already made it to a certain popularity, at least in the circle of professional doubles. Filmmaker Douglas Wolfsperger (The Disposed Father) delves into this very special world by following these two women in particular, but also other doubles such as Germany's Bill Clinton Lothar Wunderlich with his camera.
The result is Doppelleben, an amusing, sometimes quite absurd look behind the scenes of the business with celebrity doubles. It is not only fascinating to see what kind of appearances doubles are booked for, but also how important some doubles or double managers feel and how much mare-biting there is in this business. The film becomes particularly interesting when Susanne Knoll, who has gained a lot of self-confidence through her popularity, decides to go into politics herself - and then to the SPD, of all places, where she is not necessarily welcomed with open arms. Here it becomes particularly clear that there are not only advantages to looking like a celebrity, and that the resemblance can also have a not always positive effect on the doubles' private lives.
But there are also beautiful sides, of which especially Lothar Wunderlich can report. It is almost touching to watch him almost bursting into tears when he proudly presents a letter that the real Bill Clinton has written to him. And sometimes it gets really absurd, for example when the doubles are not recognized as such and get involved in political debates by citizens. And again, Wolfsperger has captured some very watchable moments with his camera.
Doppelleben is a very entertaining documentary that is compelling both as an insight into the world of professional doubles, and as a portrait of two women who have found a new path in their own lives by adopting a different identity. If you like amusingly absurd documentaries, you definitely shouldn't miss The Many Faces of Angela Merkel. Worth seeing
