Acda and De Munnik shows how Thomas and Paul met at the Kleinkunstacademie to their last performance in Carré. And we see their reunion develop, from writing together again for the first time on Ameland, to the start of six sold-out shows in Ziggo Dome.
The story of Thomas and Paul begins at the Kleinkunstacademie, where they met and soon formed a duo. They conquered the Dutch music world but decided to quit in March 2015. During the corona pandemic, they met again and decided to work together once more. Colleagues Joost Prinsen, Bianca Krijgsman, Ellen ten Damme, and Frank Lammers saw their love blossom at the Kleinkunstacademie, both for the cabaret profession and for each other. Typhoon and Maan look back on how Thomas and Paul made music together again on Ameland in 2020 for the first time since their split.
Thomas and Paul's colleagues delve into the past and share how they became Acda and De Munnik after their studies. Around the time they were taking their first steps as a cabaret duo, they suddenly scored a hit with one of their songs. We follow Thomas and Paul in the run-up to their reunion. For the first time since their split, they are writing songs as Acda and De Munnik again. It is a process that unfolds with ups and downs.
Thomas and Paul head to LA to further develop the plans for their reunion. They take photos and shoot a music video for the first new single. They also go through old songs and devise the concept for their reunion concert. Friends and colleagues look back on the duo's bizarre early days. They broke through with 'Niet of nooit geweest' and suddenly had to learn how to deal with hordes of fans. It remains a challenge for the documentary filmmaker to follow the gentlemen, as they like to put their own spin on things.
A lot is changing within the Acda en de Munnik team: people from the very beginning, including producer Sander Jansen, drummer Kasper van Kooten, and keyboardist Diederik van Vleuten, are leaving. Multi-instrumentalist and producer JB Meijers and drummer Dave van Beek are taking their places. We also see these latter men in the present. Thomas and Paul invite them to join them in Memphis to see if they can record music together there again, just like in the old days. An adventure that does not go without its bumps.
Acda and De Munnik were followed for years by photographer Bob Bronshoff. His photos thus depict a journey through time. The rock opera *Ren Lenny Ren*, in particular, evokes diverse memories. The moment Frank Lammers saved Paul de Munnik's foot, and perhaps even his life, also left an indelible impression. In 2011, the band recorded the album 't Heerst in Memphis, partly in the legendary Sun Studios. Recently, they returned to Memphis to pick up where they left off. The men are working towards the reunion concert. Immediately after the announcement, there was a rush for tickets, causing the pressure to mount.
Thomas and Paul are looking forward to their first reunion concert. Everyone is eagerly anticipating this special moment. In addition, friends and colleagues look back on the time when they decided to stop as Acda en De Munnik. This farewell was difficult at the time, making it all the more comforting that it turned out not to be forever.