opinion | For an incredible amount of money, ZDF filmed the bestseller “Der Schwarm” by Frank Schätzing as a series. After watching the episodes, our editor Michael Hille is of the opinion: Unfortunately, that was a shot in the dark.
The message spread like wildfire: shortly before the start of the ZDF mega production “The swarm” reported in a Zeit interview, the author of the bestseller template, Frank Schätzing, and sharply criticized the upcoming series: From one “cobbled together nonsense” he said that the series was also “fundamentally wrong” in terms of narrative and “without current relevance”, and the dialogues and characters did not appeal to him: “Some things are ready for the cinema, others are touching and talkative relationship box TV. It pilches more than it raves .”
So the creator of “Der Schwarm” wasn’t exactly happy with what ZDF was doing for a record sum had produced: More than 40 million euros have been invested, together with partners from abroad such as ORF and Hulu Japan. At the Berlinale, the first three episodes were shown in advance, and extensive marketing campaigns promise a TV event. Since February 22, 2023, you can see for yourself in the ZDF media library. But what is difficult: to ignore Frank Schätzing. Unfortunately, he was spot on with many of his evil pre-agreements.
The Swarm: When nature fights back against us
ZDF
Klaas Heufer-Umlauf, otherwise known as a moderator, appears as an actor in “Der Schwarm”.
Anyone familiar with the 2004 novel knows that “The Swarm” is quite complex told is and takes many different perspectives. It would probably have been unfilmable for the cinema, although Ridley Scott (“Gladiator”) wanted to try it in 2006 with Uma Thurman in the leading role. As is well known, nothing came of it. In a series format, “The Swarm” is better off anyway, at least it has multi-perspective narration on television has often led to great moments – just think of “Game of Thrones”. So it’s logical that ZDF hired Frank Doelger for the creative boss behind “Der Schwarm” – after all, he was involved in the production of the legendary fantasy series from the USA for years.
So the series dances at many weddings in terms of content, and also invents a few characters and plots for the book. It tells the story of different characters, spread all over the world, who are all confronted with mysterious phenomena. Molecular biologist Cécile Roche (Cécile De France) discovers a novel bacterium in drinking water that could trigger a worldwide and very deadly pandemic. The whale researcher Leon (Joshua Odjick) is surprised at the changed behavior of the sea creatures, who suddenly attack boats aggressively. Similar worrying discoveries the student Charlie (Leonie Benesch) in a research station on the Shetland Islands, submarine captain Alban (Oliver Masucci) and diving robotics expert Roscovitz (Klaas Heufer-Umlauf) and marine biologist Dr. Sigur Johanson (Alexander Karim). The latter discovers a previously unknown ice worm that destabilizes continental slopes and thus triggers devastating tsunamis.
The more phenomena appear, the more the same suspicion creeps up on the various experts around the world: Nature strikes back and take revenge on humanity. Only: how can we avert the impending global catastrophe?
A kitsch parade: unfortunately nothing to rave about
ZDF
“The Swarm” shows a massive catastrophe. This time the enemies do not come from the sky, but from the depths of the sea.
The novel “The Swarm” has only become more topical since its publication. One dystopian future version, in which nature strikes back through massive humanitarian catastrophes in vengeance for pollution and climate change, holds terrifying explosive power. It will hardly be possible to watch the series without thinking about recent events such as the flood in the Ahr Valley, the coronavirus pandemic or the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. So ZDF had gold in its hands with its production – but they didn’t even come home with bronze. “It’s pilchering,” said Frank Schätzing, hitting the bull’s eye. The dialogues sometimes take your shoes off.
In many episodes, it seems as if they wanted to try to make things “human” between the characters. The result has now been that there are either forced conflict situations in which well-versed professionals behave like small children or the scientists get into cheesy romances get involved, which massively distract from the menacing atmosphere and constellation of the series – and also make the characters look far less professional than they should. The actors do a respectable job for the most part, but they have to push through tasteless platitudes battle. There is little to be seen of prestige TV, which at least one wanted to achieve here. Despite numerous storylines and characters, you will look in vain for sympathizers and real moments of tension.
Debacle “The Swarm”: 40 million euros for nothing?
ZDF
Frank Schätzing already criticized the film adaptation of his novel “The Swarm”. Unfortunately, he is absolutely right in many of his arguments.
Of course, you can see the high budget in “The Swarm”. Some of the special effects are impressive: when whales jump several meters out of the water and crash onto boats or thousands upon thousands of jellyfish frequent the Venice Lagoon in a virtuoso scene, you can marvel at the visual power (even if the quality of the animations sometimes takes some getting used to). The three directors Barbara Eder (“Thank you for Bombing”), Philipp Stölzl (“Der Medicus”) and Luke Watson (“Ripper Street”) show their skills in such moments. Thanks to them, “Der Schwarm” can at least entertain at times, but as the episodes continue, the series turns out to be as nicely packaged but empty shell that makes you wonder what 40 million euros was spent on here. You may have bought a few nice pictures with the money, but what do you get out of it if you, as a viewer, do not develop an interest in the content of these pictures?
Eight episodes have now been created, and at the time of production there was talk of it still being possible further seasons introduce. Perhaps this would not be a bad decision, despite the fatal weaknesses of the series: the novel and the series deal with a major catastrophe of apocalyptic proportions, at the end of which mankind is left in ruins. But Schätzing ends “The Swarm” with the prospect of hope: it’s never too late for reconstruction and a rethink. You would also like to recommend this to the series makers.
Should “The Swarm” continue, one wishes the focus away from harrowing tragedies and catastrophes towards a humanistic message that celebrates the cohesion of humanity and its possibilities for a better world. It might be just the story that we desperately need in our times.
Episodes 1-3 of “Der Schwarm” have been available in the ZDF media library since February 22, 2023. Episodes 4-6 will follow on March 1st, and episodes 7-8 on March 8th. On television, ZDF will show two episodes each day from March 6th at 8:15 p.m. on free TV.
