Kebab Connection (2004)

In Hamburg, Ibrahim "Ibo" Secmez, of Turkish descent, wants to direct the first German kung-fu movie. For now, he makes commercials for his uncle's kebab restaurant. Titzie, an aspiring ... See full summary »

Director:

Anno Saul

Writers:

Fatih Akin (screenplay), Ruth Toma (screenplay),

Stars:

Emanuel Bettencourt, Numan Açar, Nora Tschirner

3 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Emanuel Bettencourt	...	Sifu
Numan Açar	...	Schwertkämpfer
Nora Tschirner	...	Titzi
Hasan Ali Mete	...	Onkel Ahmet
Kida Khodr Ramadan	...	Özgür (as Kida Ramadan)
Denis Moschitto	...	Ibo
Paul Faßnacht	...	Filmproduzent
Phillip José Steinfatt	...	Typ auf der Strasse / Boss Gangster
Paula Paul	...	Nadine
Badasar Colbiyik	...	Montana
Cem Akin	...	Altan
Hakan Orbeyi	...	Kerem
Ernest Hausmann	...	Kiffer im Auto
Carmen Rüter	...	Filmstudentin
Ferhad Kara	...	Reporter

Storyline

In Hamburg, Ibrahim "Ibo" Secmez, of Turkish descent, wants to direct the first German kung-fu movie. For now, he makes commercials for his uncle's kebab restaurant. Titzie, an aspiring actress and Ibo's German girlfriend, finds she's pregnant. Ibo is uncertain about fatherhood - compounded by his father's disowning him for getting a German girl pregnant - so Titzie sends him packing. He makes attempts at getting it right, but as the birth approaches, he's still not ready. In the background are three thugs in search of good tripe soup and a Capulet-Montegue feud between the kebab joint and a Greek taverna across the street. Can Ibo be the glove upon that hand?

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Plot Keywords:

kebab | turkish | restaurant | actress | kung fu | 

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Germany]

Country:

Germany

Language:

Greek Turkish German

Release Date:

21 April 2005 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Keb It Up

Filming Locations:

Der Spiegel Publishing House cafeteria, Altstadt, Hamburg-Mitte, Hamburg, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arte, Creado Film, Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Ibo falls through a restaurant window and lands on his hands among the shards of broken glass, but he gets up without any cuts.

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Connections

References Apocalypse Now (1979)

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Soundtracks

"Lazy Boy Dash"
Music/Lyrics: James R. Davies Jr., Che Colavita Lemon, David Dowling, Michael Sipple
Performed by Jimmie's Chicken Shack

User Reviews

The best German film about a Turkish man who wants to make the first German martial arts epic!

Okay. I'll admit that this is probably the only German film about a Turkish man wanting to make a martial arts epic...or at least the only one I've seen! But it is quite enjoyable and silly--and worth your time.

Before I get to the review, the history teacher in me wants to point out to the non-German viewers out there that Germans of Turkish extraction are very common--and make up one of the largest minority groups in the country (probably the largest). So, seeing a film about Turks in Germany is a natural. And, for those who don't realize it, OFTEN Turks and Greeks do NOT get along--they have a long and tumultuous history together and this will help you understand some of the antipathy in the film between the two restaurant owners.

Ibrahim is a strange young man. He is a very talented director of commercials for his uncle's Turkish restaurant. But they are NOT typical commercials--they are like mini-martial arts films--complete with wire-fu and stunts--all to advertise for a sandwich shop!! The customers love the ads and life looks very promising for this odd filmmaker. However, he also is VERY immature--very. And when his girlfriend, Titzi, becomes pregnant, he seems about as happy as a cannibal who is given tofu! Naturally, Titzi is very upset--as are Ibrahim's parents who naturally want him to marry a Turkish lady. Can all this get sorted out?! And, what of his uncle's competitor across the street? Can this Greek restaurant owner convince Ibrahim to make some ads for him as well? And, are any film producers crazy enough to give the guy a chance at directing a feature film?

I liked this film--it was quirky and funny. So why do I give it a 7 and not something higher? Well, Ibrahim is a jerk and VERY immature--so much so that although you might like him in some ways, it's also easy to dislike him. Seeing his lack of commitment to the pregnant girlfriend is pretty sad--and makes it hard to like him. This is a serious problem in a romantic-comedy! But, on balance the good still outweighs the bad and the film is well worth your time.