Director and Creator: Eric Andreae, Writers: Eric Andreae, Adrian Aeschbacher, Fanny Nussbaumer, Urs Humbel, Julie Olympia Cahannes, Producer: Sophie Toth, Production company: Shining Film, Country: Switzerland, Language: Swiss-German ( dubb in French and Italian, 6 x 30′, 2024, Territories: World except Switzerland
What if you could send a text message to your younger self?
Mindblow is a sci-fi comedy original from SRF-Serie. In 2003, musician Markus still has big dreams. He stands in for his sick sister at a casting. He flops completely and from then on his life is paved with failures, bad luck and mishaps. When, on his 40th birthday, he is given the opportunity to contact his younger self, he suddenly sees as a chance to change his previously botched life and become a star. But with his growing success he also erases true love from his life.
Markus is 40 years old and locked up in a psychiatric clinic. He has dark circles under his eyes and mysterious numbers are carved into his arm. He thinks about decisions in his life – what could he have done better? At the age of 20, Markus takes part in the casting show MusicStar in the place of his sister Eva. When he almost has a breakdown in the toilet due to the tension, Baschi gives him a tranquilizer. But the dose is far too high – and Markus’ casting ends in disaster.
The failed performance is broadcast on television, which makes Markus a laughing stock and the phrase “Unfortunately no, Mäge” becomes a viral meme. The meme follows Markus until his 40th birthday. Nothing is left of his glorious dreams of becoming a musician. He works in an electronics discount store and cannot father the children his wife wants from him.
On his 40th birthday, his cell phone mysteriously short-circuits while charging and he receives a text message from his own number – from the past. When he realizes what possibilities are open to him with the connection to his younger self, he begins to change his life – with unforeseen consequences.
The technology behind the series is advanced with the use of state of the art artificial intelligence and deep fake technology (with consent of the actors) to rejuvenate lead actor Dimitri Stapfer. And the cameo of the Swiss pop singer Baschi famed from the real life TV programme MusicStar. Baschi is the first Swiss celebrity appearing with a deep fake in a TV series.
Cast
Dimitri Stapfer as Markus
Sylvie Marinkovic as Sandra
Palma Ada as Laila
Helen Wills as Eva
Kay Kysela as Robin
Eric Lüthi as Noah
Sebastian ‘Baschi’ Bürgin as Self
Kübler Adrian as Luan