Neu im Kino: Im Osten was Neues

In the organizer's words:

Documentary film by Loraine Blumenthal.

Thomas "Eichi" Eichstätt coaches the FC Pio soccer team in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Many of the young players have fled their home countries and are struggling with job hunting, acceptance and their past. For many, Eichi is a father figure, but he looks back on a dark time as a right-wing extremist. Loraine Blumenthal's award-winning documentary is "a powerful cinematic plea for change, responsibility and community." (Jury statement WIR Diversity Award)

Thomas "Eichi" Eichstätt coaches the FC Pio soccer team in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Many of the young players have fled their home countries and are struggling with finding a job, acceptance and their past. For many, Eichi is a father figure, but he looks back on a dark time as a right-wing extremist.

When soccer coach Thomas "Eichi" Eichstätt and his team from Torgelow turn up at tournaments, they immediately stand out. The tall, burly man with a bald head, tattoos and a voice that echoes across the pitch mainly trains refugees.

On the pitch, the young adults are completely in the here and now. But off the pitch, their past and longing for home catches up with them. Job hunting, xenophobia and the search for belonging are additional hard realities of life for them. For many of the players, "Eichi" is a reference person and friend. But he also looks back on a past, dark life as a right-wing extremist.

This feature-length documentary shows their lives, which could not be more different, sometimes humorous and light, sometimes profound and unembellished.

Something New in the East -- From November 13 at the Tilsiter Lichtspiele cinema