Gegen die Wand
Head-OnSibel is a beautiful twenty-year-old who, like Cahit, is of Turkish extraction. She loves life far too much to behave like a decent Muslim. Her own suicide attempt was a bid to escape the prison that her very devout, traditional parents have built around her. She has survived, only to discover that her action has by no means paved the way for the freedom she so desires.
As Sibel sees it, her only chance to escape her family now is to ask Cahit to marry her. After some initial hesitation, Cahit agrees - perhaps because he realises that this is a way of saving himself. But it may just be because, for once in his life, he’d like to do something useful. Before long, the pair are sharing an apartment – and very little else.
Sibel relishes every moment of her new-found freedom. Cahit, however, continues to go to bed with his sometime lover, Maren. But then, gradually, love begins to creep into his life. Cahit falls in love with Sibel; in time, he even starts to enjoy life again, finding the strength he needs to go on. Although Sibel continues to see other men, she too discovers that she has fallen in love with Cahit. However, her realisation comes too late: in a fit of jealous rage Cahit kills one of her lovers. Cahit is arrested. Disowned by her family, Sibel escapes to Istanbul where she meets Cahit on his release from prison. Apparently, he still believes that they have a future together . . .
Additional information
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Fatih Akin
Thumbs up: Fatih Akin at the premiere of his film at the Berlinale Palast
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Berlinale Palast · Feb 12, 2004
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Fatih Akin, Sibel Kekilli, Birol Ünel
Director Fatih Akin, actress Sibel Kekilli and actor Birol Uenel at the press conference
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Programme Press Conference · Feb 12, 2004
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Fatih Akin
Into the Groove: Fatih Akin
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Berlinale Palast · Feb 12, 2004
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Sibel Kekilli
Sibel Kekilli
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Feb 12, 2004
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Meltem Cumbul, Sibel Kekilli
Actresses Sibel Kekilli and Meltem Cumbul and their signings in the guest book of the Berlinale L'Oreal VIP Club
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Feb 12, 2004
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Fatih Akin, Dieter Kosslick
Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick and Fatih Akin try to set the Berlinale L'Oreal VIP Club on fire
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Feb 12, 2004
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Birol Ünel
Leading man Birol Ünel
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Feb 12, 2004
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Fatih Akin
The director and the Bear - only gold was good enough for Head On.
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Golden Bear · Feb 14, 2004
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Fatih Akin
Fatih Akin, director of Golden-Bear-Winner Gegen die Wand/ Head On, and the media
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Golden Bear · Feb 14, 2004
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Birol Ünel
Smoking: Birol Ünel, leading man of Gegen die Wand/ Head On
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Golden Bear · Feb 14, 2004
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Birol Ünel
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Feb 12, 2004
© Gerhard Kassner / Berlinale
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Sibel Kekilli
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Feb 12, 2004
© Gerhard Kassner / Berlinale
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Meltem Cumbul
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Feb 12, 2004
© Gerhard Kassner / Berlinale
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Güven Kiraç
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Feb 12, 2004
© Gerhard Kassner / Berlinale
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Fatih Akin
Gegen die Wand · Competition · Feb 12, 2004
© Gerhard Kassner / Berlinale
Fatih Akin, Sibel Kekilli, Meltem Cumbul, Birol Ünel, Güven Kiraç, Ralph Schwingel, Stefan Schubert
Gegen die Wand | Head-On
Competition · Press Conference · Feb 12, 2004
Fatih Akin, Sibel Kekilli, Meltem Cumbul, Birol Ünel, Güven Kiraç, Ralph Schwingel, Stefan Schubert
Gegen die Wand | Head-On
Competition · Red Carpet · Feb 12, 2004