Synopsis
Her old communist East Germany has ceased to exist. Her husband, her job and her suburban home are gone too. Unemployed hairdresser Kathy König (Gabriela Maria Schmeide) and her daughter Julia (Natascha Lawiszus) live in a socialist high-rise housing project in the infamous district of Berlin-Marzahn. She'd like to work, but nobody lets her. Even a sure-fire offer for a beauty salon job in a big mall blows up in her face because Kathy is fat – way too fat – and not "presentable,” says the salon manager, Mrs. Krieger (Maren Kroymann). But Kathy won't be turned down that easily. She decides to open her own salon in a vacant Asian takeout place right next door to Salon Krieger. It turns into a long, hard battle against banks, bureaucrats and bad advisers. But she also meets some good people on the way to the good life - attractive hairdresser Silke (Christina Grosse), shady smuggler Joe (Rolf Zacher) and likeable Vietnamese refugee Tien (Ill-Young Kim). Internationally acclaimed director Doris Dörrie (CHERRY BLOSSOMS – HANAMI) filmed this entertaining story of a Berlin woman who's larger than life in every way, fighting for a better life with dignity and determination. The screenplay was penned by Laila Stieler (CLOUD 9), and produced by German vet Ulrich Limmer (LIPPEL'S DREAM).

 

Volume

• on
• off