Where Are You Going, Habibi?

Reviewed for the Amor Universal Love Project Blog.

"Where Are You Going, Habibi?" is a 2015 German film directed by Tor Iben. The movie is a comedy-drama that tells the story of Ibrahim, a young man of Turkish descent who falls in love with Alexander, a German wrestler and criminal who is straight. Despite the challenges, an unusual friendship and mutual respect develop between them.

The film stars Cem Alkan as Ibrahim and Martin Walde as Alexander. It explores themes of love, crime, and an impossible friendship that transcends the characters' backgrounds and orientations.

Review: Where Are You Going, Habibi? (2015)

Where Are You Going, Habibi? (Wo willst du hin, Habibi?), directed by Tor Iben, is a poignant German film that delves into the complexities of identity, love, and cultural intersections. Set against the backdrop of Berlin, the narrative follows Ibrahim (Ibo), a young man of Turkish descent navigating the challenges of being gay in a conservative family while grappling with societal prejudices.

Ibo's life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Alexander (Ali), a blond, blue-eyed German show wrestler with a criminal past. Their relationship evolves from a chance encounter to a deep, albeit complicated, friendship. While Ibo harbors romantic feelings, Ali's straight orientation adds layers of tension and introspection to their bond. The film masterfully portrays this dynamic, highlighting the nuances of unrequited love and the boundaries of male intimacy.

Cem Alkan's portrayal of Ibo is both heartfelt and authentic, capturing the character's internal conflicts and aspirations. Martin Walde's Ali complements this with a performance that balances toughness with vulnerability. Their on-screen chemistry brings depth to the narrative, making their interactions both compelling and relatable.

Director Tor Iben, known for his works like The Visitor (Cibrâil) and The Passenger, continues his exploration of LGBTQ+ themes with sensitivity and insight. In Where Are You Going, Habibi?, he addresses issues of racism, cultural identity, and the immigrant experience in Germany, weaving them seamlessly into the storyline without overt didacticism.

While the film touches on serious themes, it maintains a light-hearted tone, offering moments of humor and warmth. The soundtrack by Bartosz Bludau further enhances the viewing experience, adding an emotional resonance to key scenes.

In essence, Where Are You Going, Habibi? is a touching exploration of love, identity, and the human desire for connection. It's a testament to the complexities of modern relationships and the courage it takes to live one's truth. For those interested in stories that challenge societal norms and celebrate authenticity, this film is a must-watch.

The movie has a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes and was produced with an estimated budget of €60,000. It has been available for streaming on various platforms, including Filmzie, Plex, and JustWatchTV.

Looking forward to your comments and questions below ;-)

more info at

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4064498/

https://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film721124.html

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Amor Universal Love´s first preview exhibition in Barcelona

Five years have passed since we started this project with the support of the NYU Fales Library, NYC LGBT Center and Visual Aids. Now AmorUniversaLove moves to Europe to start a new journey starting in Barcelona.

In a new and very different context, the historical research and artistic references have grown exponentially, new points of view, cultures and information have become part of an already eclectic body of work.


The first Barcelona preview exhibition will include a collection of works from cartoonists and graphic novel artists from Catalonia, Interviews with local activists who shaped the path of what the we enjoy today in Spain, being of the countries in the world with equal Civil rights granted to the LGBT community, and a press board where the history of recent years can be checked at a glance.

This first preview exhibition will be held at the main hall of the CCOO (Workers Guild of Catalonia) to celebrate the annual day against homophobia, trying to capture the attention of companies and syndicates about homophobia at the workplace. We have gathered 4 experts that will discuss on a workshop facts about this issue and testimonials of the subtle way discrimination is currently held in many companies and multinationals.

It is an exciting experience to develop a whole new research about the struggles people and leaders have been trough in Spain and specially in Catalonia during and after Franco´s dictatorship and the way certain things still remain in everyday life.

We have found that Catalonia´s  LGBT history is full of initiatives, creative leaders and vision that still fight for a better life and understanding of sexual diversity.

Research and materials are still in development, new artists, organizations and publications will certainly be included and hopefully very soon, the whole project will be traveling across towns and be exhibited in local libraries and community centers.