Punching the World
Two brothers navigate a challenging childhood in East Germany as their family falls apart. Their father loses his job while their mother struggles to hold things together. Stuck in the middle, Tobi and Philipp are left to their own devices.
In a life which otherwise boasts few bright spots or role models, the only other option is a group of older boys who promise adventure but bring violence and xenophobia. Philipp joins them and, for the first time, he feels a sense of purpose and belonging, even if he has to cross legal and moral boundaries. When a refugee shelter is scheduled to open nearby, the conflicts are about to escalate.
Based on the novel of the same name by Lukas Rietzschel, Constanze Klaue’s debut feature film premiered in the Perspectives section at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival.