Team building escalates: bank advisor in front of a dead peacock in Scotland!

Team building escalates: bank advisor in front of a dead peacock in Scotland!

Team building with a difference: The film “The Peacock” brings a lot of fun and chaos to the Scottish Highlands. This crazy comedy, based on Isabel Bogdan's bestseller of the same name, recently celebrated its free TV premiere on Das Second. The story revolves around a group of Frankfurt bankers who go to a team building event to prepare for a merger with a Scottish bank. Things quickly take an unexpected turn.

The protagonist Helen, played by the talented Annette Frier, acts as the narrator and cook of the illustrious team, which also includes Andreas (Tom Schilling) and Jim (Jürgen Vogel). Team leader Linda Bachmann, played by Lavinia Wilson, has appointed a renowned coach, who is replaced by the charismatic Rebecca (Svenja Jung) as the story progresses. The fear of losing their job hovers over the team, despite Linda's assurances.

An unexpected misfortune

The team-building excursion is dramatically interrupted when Linda finds a dead peacock, which was the favorite animal of host Lord McIntosh, played by Philip Jackson. This fateful incident was caused by Linda's dog killing the peacock. What’s special about this peacock? He had previously attacked blue objects at random. The banker David (David Kross) is quickly assigned to dispose of the carcass, but this is only the beginning of further chaotic events.

It's not just the deafening storms that keep the team cut off from the outside world - power outages and a lack of cell phone reception also contribute to the general confusion. Meanwhile, in a mansion marked by the absurdity of the situation, the bankers try to keep their spirits up with alcohol, music and a hot tub.

A film full of surprises

With “The Peacock,” director Lutz Heineking Jr. has created a black comedy that combines chaotic elements with slapstick humor and is reminiscent of the works of Agatha Christie and the classic styles of Mr. Bean. The production was shot in the MMC studios in Cologne as well as in the picturesque surroundings of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Scottish Highlands. The 23-day shooting period posed a particular challenge, during which digital effects and snow cannons were used to depict the onset of winter in spring 2022.

The mix of top-class actors like Lavinia Wilson and David Kross and the extraordinary plot make “The Peacock” an entertaining experience that film fans and comedy lovers will get their money’s worth. Isabel Bogdan, the novelist, praises the successful adaptation of her story, in which, according to her, “nothing actually happens, but your head explodes”.

For anyone interested in learning more about this film, there is more information at IMDb, which also lists the entire cast and production details.

Overall, The Peacock is viewed as a fresh, humorous take on a team-building event amidst chaotic circumstances. It will be exciting to see how the bank employees maneuver through this turbulent experience.