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?

---

Plot Keywords:

kebab | turkish | restaurant | actress | kung fu | 

---

Genres:

Action | Comedy | Romance

---

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [de]

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.

---

Connections

References Northern Star (2003)

---

Soundtracks

"Acele"
Music/Lyrics: Orhan Osman
Performed by Orhan Osman

User Reviews

Impressive Achievement

When fate is friendly, it makes the impossible possible. Like, what was the probability of some random Romanian movie fan of ever seeing a German film about the Turkish "speciality", Döners? And what is even more amazing, what were the chances of this film actually being a great watch?

The "Kebab Connection" deals with a couple - Turkish boy, German girl - who are about to have a baby and are trying to get back together. But in the whole mix, you've got tradition, family values, a Kebab shop and a Greek "taverna", kung fu and William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. In a way, the film is a modern R&J...but it would, paradoxically, be unfair to label it only as such, as it is much more. More than an amusing get-together of events and characters and more than a social satire. It's a film with soul and, most importantly, it's original an authentic in both storyline and plot as well as "presentation". In addition to this, the characters are extremely likable, although they aren't always played at what I felt could have been their maximum potential. But ultimately that doesn't even matter.

Because with all these elements cleverly and humorously brought together, the "Kebab Connection" may well be a small milestone in German comedy. It's worthy all the way. If it hadn't been, what would that say about faith?