Cleaning up

In this turbulent and heartwarming Christmas comedy from Austria (2025), cabaret artist Gery Seidl takes on his first leading role in a film as construction manager Andi. Between a stressful job with impatient Chinese clients and a demanding boss (Roland Düringer), he tries to organize the perfect Christmas for his wife Steffi and his stepdaughter Alma—complete with a big tree and her favorite dessert. But nothing goes according to plan: the Christmas tree has vanished, 280 door handles are stuck at customs, and the family moves to the Waldviertel to live with his strict mother-in-law (Maria Hofstätter). With the energetic but chaotic support of his buddy Bertl (Thomas Mraz), Andi fights for the festival of love and learns that Christmas might just work out when everything seems to go wrong.

Director Claudia Jüptner-Jonstorff ("Greece") crafts a comedy full of situational humor and affectionate jabs, which also leaves room for subtle undertones—such as those about family, loss, and getting along in a hectic time. The ensemble around Gery Seidl shines with stars from the Austrian film and cabaret scene like Thomas Stipsits, Adele Neuhauser, and Maria Hofstätter. A film for everyone who loves, fears, or simply wants to survive Christmas.