HAPPY TOO (2002) is an experimental documentary film by Swiss director Thomas Imbach, which functions both as a standalone work and as a meta-commentary on his previous feature film HAPPINESS IS A WARM GUN (2001). While the previous film fictionalizes the tragic relationship between Green Party politician Petra Kelly and ex-general Gert Bastian, HAPPY TOO takes a look behind the scenes and highlights the dynamic between actors Linda Olsansky and Herbert Fritsch during filming.

In HAPPY TOO, Imbach uses raw material from HAPPINESS IS A WARM GUN to question the boundaries between fiction and reality. The film shows how the intense portrayal of the complex relationship between Kelly and Bastian increasingly influences the real relationship between the actors. This creates a fascinating interplay between the levels of acting, personal identity, and cinematic staging.

The camera captures intimate moments in which the actors struggle with their roles, lose themselves in them, or consciously reflect on them. This meta-level gives the viewer a deep insight into the creative process of filmmaking and the psychological challenges actors face when they identify intensely with their characters.

HAPPY TOO premiered in 2002 in the “Cinéastes du Présent” section at the Locarno International Film Festival. The film was praised for its innovative approach and courageous reflection on the relationship between art and reality.