MY HOLY CAR – AN OBSESSION MADE IN GERMANY

Documentary | 90 minutes | ARD | Hoferichter & Jacobs | Written & Directed by Jan Tenhaven

“An entertaining and instructive journey through car-loving Germany.”
– Saarbrücker Zeitung

“A polyphonic symphony.”
– WAZ

“This illuminating and thought-provoking film explores the continued success of the motor car in an age of climate crisis and crowded cities, giving voice to both car enthusiasts and detractors. Artistic reflections on the dangers of cars find a place in this varied and skilfully edited film, alongside rhapsodic designers and photographers, the car city of Wolfsburg, and social-media influencers.”
– Filmdienst

 

 

This essayistic documentary explores the question of why the car remains so successful. Despite the climate crisis, overcrowded cities, and inflation, the number of privately owned cars in Germany has reached an all-time high. A mobility transition? At best, in a few major cities the car is losing a tiny bit of relevance. Overall, the number of cars continues to grow—they’re getting bigger, heavier, and more powerful. It’s actually kind of insane.

For this 90-minute film, I spoke with car lovers and car haters, drove a Ferrari with Ulf Poschardt, and accompanied a paramedic on duty. We filmed deep inside VW, BMW, Mercedes, and Audi, and gave voice to critics like Katja Diehl and artist Folke Köbberling. A traffic researcher explains the psychological mechanisms behind our attachment to cars, while a car influencer shows how she earns enough with her videos to afford six BMWs and a Porsche. Digital utopian Jan Kamensky envisions what our cities could look like with fewer cars. It’s truly inspiring.

Stream the full film on ARD (German version, geo-blocking possible)