Petra goes swimming: A retirement adventure between love and insecurity!

Petra goes swimming: A retirement adventure between love and insecurity!

The film celebrates on September 28, 2025“Petra goes swimming”its television premiere on ZDF. Directed by Rainer Kaufmann and based on a script by Uli Brée, this film brings the life of Petra, played by Ulrike Kriener, to the screen. Petra is retiring after two decades as CEO and is faced with the challenge of spending her newfound free time. Erik, her husband, impersonates Rolf Lassgård, and is dissatisfied with the situation. He is thinking about a separation while at the same time planning an adventure trip through the Czech Republic in a motorhome.

Erik wants to go on a nostalgic trip without modern technology such as navigation systems or cell phones. This journey takes them to so-called “lost places”. Petra, who initially finds it difficult to accept the unplanned, finally gets involved in the venture when she comes up with her own plan. Supported by her former assistant Georgette, played by Lara Mandoki, she begins to design the trip according to her ideas. This culminates in secret meetings with Bruno, her former lover and doctor, played by Georgette's father.

Relationship and conflicts

The tension between Petra and Erik escalates when Erik finds out about Petra's secret activities. There are moments throughout the adventure that test the pair's relationship, including a raid on their RV that lands Erik in the hospital. During this turbulent time, the relationship between the protagonists is illuminated both through dialogues and through various situations. Erik, portrayed as a stable partner, remains calm while Petra struggles with the fear of the emptiness of her pension and the uncertainty of her future.

The film not only addresses the typical challenges in a marriage, but also offers an insight into the Czech landscape and culture, which is attractive to many viewers. Critical voices highlight how the film portrays older women in love stories and discuss parallels to other TV couples. A remarkable metaphor becomes visible in the dynamic between Petra and Erik: Petra is the “racing car” while Erik is compared to the “bicycle” - a reference to the two protagonists' different views on life.

Critical comments

The film's theme is intended to make an important contribution to the discussion about the portrayal of older characters in romantic stories. Erik's Scandinavian accent and the dynamic scenes of the relationship suggest interesting developments. At the end of the film, the question remains open as to whether the relationship between the two will continue after their exciting adventures or whether they will separate for good.

The audience can tune in to “Petra goes swimming” in the ZDF media library from September 20th, 2025, before the official broadcast on September 28th, 2025 at 8:15 p.m. Further details about the film can be found on the website of epd.de and tittelbach.tv.