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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Title: Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974)
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4 wins & 1 nomination.
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Brigitte Mira | ... | Emmi | |
| El Hedi ben Salem | ... | Ali | |
| Irm Hermann | ... | Krista | |
| Elma Karlowa | ... | Mrs. Kargus | |
 |
Anita Bucher | ... | Mrs. Ellis |
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Gusti Kreissl | ... | Paula |
|
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Doris Mattes | ... | Mrs. Angermeyer (as Doris Mathes) |
| Margit Symo | ... | Hedwig | |
|
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Katharina Herberg | ... | Girl in bar |
|
|
Lilo Pempeit | ... | Mrs. Münchmeyer |
|
|
Peter Gauhe | ... | Bruno Kurowski |
| Marquard Bohm | ... | Gruber | |
|
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Walter Sedlmayr | ... | Angermayer |
|
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Hannes Gromball | ... | Waiter |
|
|
Hark Bohm | ... | Doctor |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
See All (126) »
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 Keywords:
racism | culture clash | loneliness | friendship | family relationships |Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
West GermanyRelease Date:
31 October 1974 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
DEM260,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$11,623, 16 February 2003Gross USA:
$8,144Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$15,698Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
Color (Eastmancolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
See more »
Written by Karel Vacek
Performed by R.A. Dvorský
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #198. 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 »Soundtracks
Du Schwarzer Zigeuner (Cikánka)Written by Karel Vacek
Performed by R.A. Dvorský
See more »
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First of all, this film has definitely the best (German) movie title ever. It loses much of its power when it's translated but in German it is absolutely fascinating.
On the other hand, Fassbinder's movies and especially this one are not untranslatable, which is positive. The story about a love (is it?) between two people of different age and origin is universal and, though set in a very xenophobe and intolerant Germany, should be understood by everybody all over the world. Fassbinder is a master in guiding his actors so they can they play naturally and believably without using a particular local accent or slang that is probably more realistic.
I do not completely agree with the film's utterly pessimistic view on practically all the characters in the movie; I think his portray of contemporary society is a little bit exaggerated (and it was even twenty-five years ago). However, I acknowledge that by means of exaggerating like this, Fassbinder makes his criticism clear and evokes a particularly bad feeling (of guilt?) in the viewer's belly. While the story is rather sad, it includes a lot of (sarcastic) side-swipes on society as it is.
Angst essen Seele auf (oh, this is a marvellous title!) is maybe a more silent version of Harold and Maude; more silent but not less interesting.