Contra – La parte avversa
(Contra)
by Sönke Wortmann
Germany 2020, 104’
starring Christoph Maria Herbst, Nilam Farooq, Hassan Akkouch, Ernst Stötzner

Original version with Italian subtitles. Free entry.

Professor Richard Pohl is a cynical and provocative academic who finds himself in trouble after making an offensive remark to Naima, a student of Arab descent. To avoid repercussions, he is tasked with preparing her for an important university debate competition. Along the way, both confront their biases, learning and growing from each other.

With witty dialogue and a touch of irony, the film entertains while addressing key themes like inclusion, stereotypes, and intergenerational dialogue.

La Deutsche Vita: A Journey Through German Cinema

This year, the film series celebrates the 80th anniversary of Rainer Werner Fassbinder, a pioneer of New German Cinema. His fearless storytelling exposed societal hypocrisy, power dynamics, and human contradictions. A tribute screening of Mother Küsters Goes to Heaven highlights themes of class, family, and postwar struggles. The program also explores memory, war, justice, and women’s roles, with motherhood symbolizing resilience amid today’s crises.

In Collaboration With:
Città di Palermo – Assessorato alla Cultura
Centro Evangelico di Cultura Giacomo Bonelli
Sicilia Queer Filmfest