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Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974)

Angst essen Seele auf (original title)
Not Rated | | Drama, Romance | 31 October 1974 (USA)
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul Poster
An almost accidental romance is kindled between a German woman in her mid-sixties and a Moroccan migrant worker around twenty-five years younger. They abruptly decide to marry, appalling everyone around them.

Director:

Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Writer:

Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Stars:

Brigitte Mira, El Hedi ben Salem, Barbara Valentin | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
4 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

Photos

See all 164 photos »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brigitte Mira ... Emmi
El Hedi ben Salem ... Ali
Irm Hermann ... Krista
Elma Karlowa ... Mrs. Kargus
Anita Bucher Anita Bucher ... Mrs. Ellis
Gusti Kreissl Gusti Kreissl ... Paula
Doris Mattes Doris Mattes ... Mrs. Angermeyer (as Doris Mathes)
Margit Symo ... Hedwig
Katharina Herberg ... Girl in bar
Lilo Pempeit Lilo Pempeit ... Mrs. Münchmeyer
Peter Gauhe ... Bruno Kurowski
Marquard Bohm ... Gruber
Walter Sedlmayr ... Angermayer
Hannes Gromball ... Waiter
Hark Bohm ... Doctor
See full cast »
Learn more

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Edit

Storyline

Emmi, a German woman in her mid-sixties, falls in love with Ali, a Moroccan immigrant worker around twenty-five years younger. When they abruptly decide to marry, everyone around them seems appalled. When the folks calm down a bit, Emmi and Ali's relationship grows uncertain. Written by Oliver Heidelbach

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

racism | culture clash | loneliness | friendship | family relationships | See All (127) »

Genres:

Drama | Romance

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider. See more »

Quotes

Emmi Kurowski: But when we're together, we must be nice to each other. Otheriwse, life's not worth living.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Before the introductory credits there is the line: Das Glück ist nicht immer lustig (Happiness is not always fun) See more »

Connections

Referenced in Far from Heaven (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

Al Asfouriah
Written by Philemon Wahba
Performed by Sabah
See more »

User Reviews

The film which made the greatest impression on me
17 January 2002 | by boboxbury – See all my reviews

This is the film which made the greatest impression on me ever. As a young serviceman stationed in West Germany throughout the 1970's & 80's I used to watch a great deal of German Television, to try and understand the German people and their culture.

One night,wife and children asleep, I happened upon: "Ein Film von Rainer Werner Fassbinder"

What a revelation!! Suddenly here was a film which showed all human life in its most passionate, desperate, vital but delicate form.

It certainly made a great impression on me and even now, 26 years later, I can still see, feel and react to each thought, idea aand feeling that coursed through me at that time.

Truly a wonderful film and a genius of a director.

It helped me understand love.
82 of 93 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
Review this title | See all 59 user reviews »

Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German | Arabic

Release Date:

31 October 1974 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Ali: Fear Eats the Soul See more »

Filming Locations:

Breisacher Straße/Spicherenstraße, Munich, Bavaria, Germany See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

DEM260,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,623, 16 February 2003

Gross USA:

$8,144

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,698
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmverlag der Autoren, Tango Film See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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