Goethe on Demand

Curated to counter the overwhelming wars, crises, and polarization that characterize our everyday lives, “Alles Liebe” is a yearlong Goethe on Demand series that showcases the most beautiful feeling in the world in its many facets—romantic love stories, unconventional relationships, and stories of care, friendship, and loyalty. Stream a new film every month, always for free!

Fourteen-year-old Ali has been searching for belonging his whole life. A Palestinian refugee, he and his family lived in Lebanon before relocating to Berlin, where their status is precarious. Trying to fit in with the boys from his neighborhood, Ali ransacks an apartment with them but is caught by its elderly Russian-Jewish tenant, Alexander. To make amends and avoid deportation, Ali agrees to fix up the apartment. Though the two Kreuzberg neighbors initially resent and distrust each other, their sudden proximity wears down ingrained prejudices, and an intergenerational friendship blossoms even as new obstacles emerge.
“A friendship that is as unequal as it is unlikely. They leave behind the enemy images in their heads, the prejudice, the deep-rooted hatred. A small-scale peace agreement that has less to do with the Middle East conflict than with two people who have been brought together by life.” (Sueddeutsche Zeitung)

Kaddish for a Friend won the 2013 German Film Award for Best Children’s Film.

Recommended for children age 12 and above.

Kaddisch für einen Freund
Dir. Leo Khasin
Germany, 2011
94 minutes
With Neil Belakhdar, Ryszard Ronczewski, Neil Malik Abdullah, Sanam Afrashteh, Kida Khodr Ramadan