9 Leben

Society/Coming of Age, Germany 2011

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In this film, Maria Speth (“Herr Bachmann und seine Klasse”, 2021) portrays several young people who decided very early on – often as early as 11, 12 or 13 years old – to leave home and live on the streets for a certain period of time or permanently: Sunny, Toni, Krümel, JJ, Stöpsel, Soja and Za – all of them individuals who could have already lived nine lives by now, including the mental and physical damage. But despite this destruction, there is an enormous amount of strength, talent and ability to be discovered in them. This wealth of personal possibilities is the focus of the film. The living conditions of the young people on the street are therefore not documented; they are told by them of their own free will. Or not. This is how very personal, stirring and touching testimonies come about. In order to focus on their personalities, they talk about their lives in a studio against a neutral background. Some have brought their musical instruments and play spontaneously, others show photos, still others artistic works. In this way, cinematic portraits emerge as in an exhibition, an art space. Prejudices and clichés about “bums” and “punks” dissolve. The young people become recognizable in their admirable uniqueness. And they become stars – and rightly so.
106 min
SD
FSK 12
Audio language:
German

Awards

German directing award "Metropolis"
Förderpreis der DEFA-Stiftung

Further recommendations

More information

Director:

Maria Speth

Writer:

Maria Speth

Editor:

Maria Speth

Producer:

Maria Speth

Original title:

9 Leben

Original language:

German

Format:

16:9 SD, B/W

Age rating:

FSK 12

Audio language:

German