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Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974)

Angst essen Seele auf (original title)
Not Rated | | Drama, Romance | 5 June 1974 (France)
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.

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4 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Ali
...
Krista
...
Anita Bucher ...
Mrs. Ellis
Gusti Kreissl ...
Paula
Doris Mattes ...
Mrs. Angermeyer (as Doris Mathes)
...
Hedwig
Katharina Herberg ...
Lilo Pempeit ...
Mrs. Münchmeyer
Peter Gauhe ...
Bruno Kurowski
Marquard Bohm ...
Gruber
Walter Sedlmayr ...
Hannes Gromball ...
Waiter
Hark Bohm ...
Doctor
See full cast »
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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 (122) »

Genres:

Drama | Romance

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

5 June 1974 (France)  »

Also Known As:

Ali: Fear Eats the Soul  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

DEM 260,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is included on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list. 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

Featured in Middle of Nowhere (2012) See more »

Soundtracks

Du Schwarzer Zigeuner (Cikánka)
Written by Karel Vacek
Performed by R.A. Dvorský
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User Reviews

 
Strangely compelling
31 March 2003 | by – See all my reviews

A thought experiment. You put Mike Leigh and Spike Lee together and ask them to remake Harold and Maude with even fewer laughs and without much music. Sounds awful?

This movie is actually strangely compelling. It is minimal in so many ways - in particular the minimal use of language. I only have "get by on a visit with occasional reference to phrase book" German and even less Arabic, yet I could have managed this movie without subtitles. So little is actually said in words. Yet so much is said.

This movie seemed so relevant today - when the gossipy women worry about bombs and terrorism because "Ali" is an "Arab" (actually he is a Berber) you think about our society some 30 years on and despair a little. The scene when the frau tells her family that she has married "Ali" will stick with me for some time.

It's hard to explain why, but there is something really special about this movie and it is well worth seeing.
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