Ali: Fear Eats the Soul
Seen it?1974 | 93 min | Romance, Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics. If you loved Blue Valentine or The Reader, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 33 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1974: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Emmi Kurowski, a cleaning lady, is lonely in her old age. Her husband died years ago, and her grown children offer little companionship. One night she goes to a bar frequented by Arab immigrants and strikes up a friendship with middle-aged mechanic Ali. Their relationship soon develops into something more, and Emmi's family and neighbors criticize their spontaneous marriage. Soon Emmi and Ali are forced to confront their own insecurities about their future.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.7 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
Won 1 Cannes award: Cannes Film Festival: International Federation of Film Critics best film (In competition). Plus 2 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$187K worldwide on a $130K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 47K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder
- Brigitte MiraEmmi Kurowski
- El Hedi ben SalemAli
- Irm HermannKrista
- Barbara ValentinBarbara
- Elma KarlowaMrs. Kargus
- Anita BucherMrs. Ellis
- Gusti KreisslPaula
- Doris MattesMrs. Angermayer
- Margit SymoHedwig
- Katharina HerbergBardame