Ali: Fear Eats the Soul

On a rainy night in West Germany, Emmi, a 60-year-old widow, enters a bar seeking to listen to the music. The barmaid Barbara nudges Ali to ask Emmi to dance, sparking their first connection. This chance encounter sets the stage for a friendship that crosses cultural boundaries.

Ali musters the courage to ask Emmi to dance, and they share a warm, hopeful moment on the dance floor. Their conversation deepens the bond between them, and Ali ends up staying overnight at Emmi's apartment.

After weeks of growing closeness, Ali moves into Emmi's apartment. Emmi is buoyed by their happiness and tells her daughter Krista and son-in-law Eugen about the new relationship, inviting a curious but cautious response from her family.

Emmi's daughter and son-in-law respond with skepticism, and Krista dismisses the situation as folly while Eugen scoffs. The disapproval from her family complicates Emmi's decision to build a life with Ali.

The landlord's son confronts Emmi, claiming subletting violates the tenancy agreement and that Ali must leave within a day. Fearful of losing Ali, Emmi asserts that she and Ali are planning to marry.

The landlord apologises for his misapprehension and leaves. Emmi apologises to Ali for having spun the idea of marrying him, but Ali responds that it is an excellent idea. After the reassurance, they decide to formalize their union and go to civil court.

The couple marries in civil court and walks out as husband and wife. Around them, neighbors and shopkeepers begin to judge and prejudge the union, and Emmi's colleagues start to shun her while Ali faces discrimination at work.

Emmi invites her three children and their husband to meet Ali, but they reject him and attack Emmi's choices. One son calls her a whore, another declares she has lost her mind, and Krista even calls Emmi's home a pigsty. The hostility marks a turning point in their relationship.

Disheartened, Emmi decides that a holiday with Ali could help them escape the prejudice. They travel away from home and, on returning, find that some neighbors and shopkeepers treat them better, but only because they see a gain in their improved image rather than real acceptance.

Back from the holiday, Emmi grows more controlling to regain social approval, treating Ali like an object and showing him off to friends. The pressure strains their marriage and leads to renewed distance between them.

Ali seeks comfort with Barbara, and Emmi confronts him at his workplace. He pretends not to recognize her, while his coworkers mock Emmi's age and status, widening the rift between them.

Feeling the strain of their quarrel, Emmi returns to the bar where she and Ali first met. Barbara plays the same song that sparked their dance, and they renew their love, acknowledging flaws and agreeing to be kind to one another.

Shortly after their renewed pledge, Ali collapses from a burst stomach ulcer and is taken to the hospital with Emmi at his side. A doctor explains that the illness is common among foreign workers due to stress, and that surgery will be necessary.

The doctor forecasts a postoperative recovery with the possibility of another ulcer in six months. Emmi vows to do everything in her power to prevent that outcome, and the film closes with her holding Ali's hand by his hospital bed.