Isi & Ossi 2020

Isabelle “Isi” Voigt, portrayed by Lisa Vicari, is a young woman from a wealthy family in Heidelberg, boasting a staggering net worth of over $2 billion. In stark contrast, Oscar “Ossi” Markowski, played by Dennis Mojen, lives in a modest apartment in Mannheim with his single mother, Betty, a character brought to life by Lisa Hagmeister, who is struggling under the weight of EUR14,000 in debt. Despite her privileged life, Isi dreams of attending culinary school in New York to pursue her passion for cooking, enlightening the screens with her desire and ambition. After a complicated teenage experience where her mother, Claudia, played by Christina Hecke, fired the entire kitchen staff due to Isi’s interactions with them, she finds herself in a precarious academic situation, graduating after repeating high school twice with the lowest grades in the school’s long history.

Meanwhile, Ossi, who exhibits intelligence and curiosity, trains to become a professional boxer but often faces obstacles that hinder his training, forcing him to work at his mother’s gas station. His dreams to fight professionally clash with familial obligations and financial woes. When the sponsor for his upcoming match withdraws, leaving him in need of EUR8,000, the stakes rise dramatically. Isi, feeling constrained by her parents’ control over her finances, seeks a strategy to access her inheritance to fund her aspirations. This leads her to embark on a bold move to blackmail her parents by feigning a relationship with Ossi.

Their relationship, initially built on deceit, soon evolves as they discover common ground. Ossi’s best friend, Tschünni, portrayed by Walid Al-Atiyat, advises him while being hesitant about their scheme. Forcing the dynamics further, the two embrace their fabricated romance amidst awkward yet comedic encounters, including a disastrous first date interrupted by Isi’s parents. A particularly memorable scene occurs when they pick up Ossi’s grandfather, played by Ernst Stötzner, from prison, who aspires to become a rapper.

As their bond strengthens, Isi and Ossi navigate family pressures together. After some comedic ventures, including a viral rap performance by Ossi’s grandpa, they start to genuinely care for each other, igniting deeper emotions and shared ambitions. However, conflicts arise when Isi’s parents learn about the relationship, leading to more tension and misunderstandings. In a pivotal moment, Isi’s parents impose conditions that threaten to tear the couple apart, forcing them to reassess their relationship and financial motivations.

Weaving between comedy and emotional depths, both characters face the complexities of life, family, and dreams. The climax unfolds during Ossi’s first professional boxing match, where Isi, through her unwavering support, rekindles Ossi’s fighting spirit just when he needs it most. Ultimately, as they confront personal doubts and familial responsibilities, the story culminates in a heartfelt victory for Ossi, celebrated by both Isi and his family, emphasizing love, ambition, and the connection that transcends social divides.