A New Beginning (Neuanfang)

Part 11 of the ZDF Herzkino series Next Exit Happiness (Nächste Ausfahrt Glück)

TV movie, 90 min, Eisenach, Berlin, first broadcast Sunday, November 16, 2025, ZDF
Available in the media library since October 25, 2025

Story
Kindergarten teacher Katharina meets musician Tom, who is secretly visiting his daughter Clara. His visitation rights were revoked because he is considered violent. Katharina strikes a deal with him: she’ll help him in the custody battle if he lets her sing in his band in return. The music helps her come to terms with her past. However, Tom’s mysterious outbursts of violence sow seeds of doubt.

Cast
Valerie Niehaus, Ernst Stötzner, Bert Tischendorf, Susanna Simon, Winnie Böwe, Eugene Boateng, Judy Winter, Sebastian Schneider, Malgorzata Mikolajczak, Anselm Bresgott, Jonathan Kwesi Aikins, Teresa Harder, Lilly Charlotte Dreesen, Lani Kalea Maruschat

Crew
Director: Luise Brinkmann
Screenplay: Carolin Hecht, Georg Weber
DOP: Fee Scheerer
Music: Anna Kühlein, Maurus Ronner
Producer: Magdalena Frau
Producer: Christian Popp