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Head-On

Original title: Gegen die Wand
  • 2004
  • R
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
56K
YOUR RATING
Head-On (2004)
With the intention to break free from the strict familial restrictions, a suicidal young woman sets up a marriage of convenience with a forty-year-old addict, an act that will lead to an outburst of envious love.
Play trailer1:52
1 Video
50 Photos
DramaRomance

With the intention to break free from the strict familial restrictions, a suicidal young woman sets up a marriage of convenience with a forty-year-old addict, an act that will lead to an out... Read allWith the intention to break free from the strict familial restrictions, a suicidal young woman sets up a marriage of convenience with a forty-year-old addict, an act that will lead to an outburst of envious love.With the intention to break free from the strict familial restrictions, a suicidal young woman sets up a marriage of convenience with a forty-year-old addict, an act that will lead to an outburst of envious love.

  • Director
    • Fatih Akin
  • Writer
    • Fatih Akin
  • Stars
    • Birol Ünel
    • Sibel Kekilli
    • Güven Kiraç
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    56K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Fatih Akin
    • Writer
      • Fatih Akin
    • Stars
      • Birol Ünel
      • Sibel Kekilli
      • Güven Kiraç
    • 94User reviews
    • 118Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 25 wins & 14 nominations

    Videos1

    Head-On (2004) Trailer
    Trailer 1:52
    Watch Head-On (2004) Trailer

    Photos50

    Head-On (2004)
    Head-On (2004)
    Head-On (2004)
    Head-On (2004)
    Head-On (2004)
    Head-On (2004)
    Birol Ünel and Sibel Kekilli in Head-On (2004)
    Catrin Striebeck and Birol Ünel in Head-On (2004)
    Catrin Striebeck and Birol Ünel in Head-On (2004)
    Birol Ünel and Sibel Kekilli in Head-On (2004)
    Birol Ünel and Sibel Kekilli in Head-On (2004)
    Birol Ünel and Sibel Kekilli in Head-On (2004)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Birol Ünel
    Birol Ünel
    • Cahit
    Sibel Kekilli
    Sibel Kekilli
    • Sibel
    Güven Kiraç
    • Seref
    Zarah Jane McKenzie
    • Barfrau in der Fabrik
    • (as Zarah McKenzie)
    Stefan Gebelhoff
    • Nico
    Catrin Striebeck
    • Maren
    Francesco Fiannaca
    • Mann am Tresen
    Mona Mur
    Mona Mur
    • Stammkundin Zoe Bar
    Ralph Misske
    Ralph Misske
    • Patient 1 (Psychiatrie)
    Philipp Baltus
    Philipp Baltus
    • Patient 2 (Psychiatrie)
    Hermann Lause
    • Dr. Schiller
    Karin Niwiger
    • Kassiererin (Psychiatrie)
    Demir Gökgöl
    • Yunus Güner (Vater)
    Cem Akin
    • Yilmaz Güner (Bruder)
    Aysel Iscan
    • Birsen Güner (Mutter)
    Orhan Güner
    Orhan Güner
    • Busfahrer
    Herr Tekin
    • Barbier
    Meltem Cumbul
    Meltem Cumbul
    • Selma (Cousine)
    • Director
      • Fatih Akin
    • Writer
      • Fatih Akin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sibel Kekilli, who has a very distinctive nose in the film, spent the money she earned from "Head-On" getting a nose job.
    • Goofs
      The psychiatrist at the beginning of the film tells Cahit about a song by the band The The containing the line "If you can't change the world, change your world". The actual quote (from the song "Lonely Planet", included in the album "Dusk") is "If you can't change the world, change yourself".
    • Quotes

      Dr. Schiller: If you want to end your life, end it. You don't have to kill yourself to do that.

    • Crazy credits
      When it comes to Special Thanks, there's a name: Arsen Lüpen. Arsène Lupin is a fictional character, created by the French writer Maurice Leblanc.
    • Connections
      Featured in 2006 Independent Spirit Awards (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Saniye'm
      ( K/T: Selim Sesler, produced by Alexander Hacke )

      Performed by Selim Sesler and Orchestra, Idil Üner

    User reviews94

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    I was riding in that car with Cahit
    This is one of the best love films ever made. Actually I'd call it 'the best' but some would accuse me of exaggerating but trust me it is much better than artificial and unrealistic examples of Spanish, French and Italian romance cinema. This film has a heart inside that pumps blood to every sequence of it. I think Faith Akin did a great job keeping this film organic and earthly.

    There is despair, hope, love then despair and hope once again. I could easily relate to the characters. Speaking of characters, Birol Ünel is the most charismatic actor I've seen lately, he dominates the screen along with Sibel Kekilli. Sibel Kekilli is an angel, pure acting, it is unfortunate what she had to go through in real life but she is stronger than most people and she had to prove it many times. In supporting roles there is Güven Kirac, who is one of my favorite actors in Turkish cinema and Meltem Cumbul who provides good acting.

    By the way despite of all the tragedy there is also ethnic humor in this film which goes hand-in-hand with the story. Especially the scenes with Birol Ünel and Guven Kirac are quite amusing, especially if you know Turkish.

    Anyway, all I have to say is "I feel you, your sun it shines, I feel you within my mind, You take me there, You take me where the kingdom comes, You take me to and lead me through Babylon" ... I was riding in that car with Cahit.

    Tebrikler Faith Akin, WE WANT MORE OF THESE!
    helpful•83
    25
    • genghis_khan
    • Mar 14, 2005

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    FAQ2

    • What happens at the end? Cahit leaves on the bus alone, or they travel together?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 11, 2004 (Germany)
    • Countries of origin
      • Germany
      • Turkey
    • Languages
      • German
      • Turkish
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Against the Wall
    • Filming locations
      • Fabrik, Altona, Hamburg, Germany
    • Production companies
      • ARTE
      • Bavaria Film International
      • Corazón International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $435,395
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $15,216
      • Jan 23, 2005
    • Gross worldwide
      • $11,065,801
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 1 minute
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital EX
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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