Agnes & Amir
by
Helena Hufnagel
Inspired by a remarkable true story, this tender feel-good comedy celebrates an unlikely friendship. The cast is led by Katharina Thalbach, one of Germany's most acclaimed and beloved actresses (Palme d'Or- and Oscar-winning The Tin Drum).
After escaping Iran and starting over in Berlin, Amir finds unexpected refuge with Agnes, a 101-year-old Berliner who's “too young” for a retirement home — and definitely too young for dying. When living alone becomes difficult, Amir moves in with her, and together they turn everyday obstacles into a defiant, joyous dance through life.
Genre
/ Language
/ Length
Comedy
/ German / 108 minutes
Original title
Lieblingsmenschen
directed by
Helena Hufnagel (PRETTY FAR FROM OKAY, COMMITMENT PHOBIA)
screenplay by
Malte Welding (TEXT FOR YOU)
produced by
Nordpolaris in co-production with ZDF and arte
Cast
- Katharina Thalbach (THE TIN DRUM)
- Bardo Böhlefeld (JESUS CRIES, DARKROOM)
- Ulrike Kriener (MEN... , SIMPLY COMPLICATED)
- Noah Saavedra (AND TOMORROW THE ENTIRE WORLD, EGON SCHIELE)
- Ronald Zehrfeld (BARBARA, THE PEOPLE VS FRITZ BAUER)
- Jannik Schümann (CHARITÉ, MONSTER HUNTER)
Press Quotes
"A warm-hearted and inviting comedy about friendship and against loneliness. There's the joy of seeing how solidarity and common ground are celebrated in this culture clash without ever seeming contrived, in atmospheric images on equal footing. Above all, it's the German answer to The Intouchables. And you'll happily spend time with it and its wonderful characters."
THE SPOT MEDIA & FILM
"The quirkiest and most endearing couple with the widest age gap since Harold and Maude — proving just how much love can be found in friendship! Agnes & Amir is a feel-good comedy with believable characters that shows how integration works in real life.“
FILMSTARTS
“A feel-good comedy. The playful, no-holds-barred dialogue between Agnes and Amir provides plenty of laughs. The contrasts are charming; they feel authentic and create tension. Since the film is based on real characters and they are portrayed so well, the bridge it builds between old and young—and across cultural barriers—is inspiring and worth emulating.”
KINOZEIT
“The summer's most beautiful film story. What begins as a purely practical arrangement grows into a friendship capable of crossing almost every boundary we tend to take for granted: age, culture, language, experience, and even our assumptions about who should be close to whom.”
VOGUE ADRIA
“One of the most beautiful films at this year's film festival. Full of warmth, with wonderful performances by Katharina Thalbach and Bardo Böhlefeld. This tragicomedy perfectly captures the full range of emotions. An idealistic but true story that offers hope.”
BR KINOKINO
"The highlight of the Munich Film Festival so far has been the feel-good film Agnes & Amir. With Katharina Thalbach and Bardo Böhlefeld, Helena Hufnagel has created [...] a sensitive masterpiece that addresses current social issues such as migration and loneliness in old age, while also shedding light on the oppressive system in Iran—without any didactic lecturing, but with great humanity.”
SCHWAEBISCHE
THE SPOT MEDIA & FILM
"The quirkiest and most endearing couple with the widest age gap since Harold and Maude — proving just how much love can be found in friendship! Agnes & Amir is a feel-good comedy with believable characters that shows how integration works in real life.“
FILMSTARTS
“A feel-good comedy. The playful, no-holds-barred dialogue between Agnes and Amir provides plenty of laughs. The contrasts are charming; they feel authentic and create tension. Since the film is based on real characters and they are portrayed so well, the bridge it builds between old and young—and across cultural barriers—is inspiring and worth emulating.”
KINOZEIT
“The summer's most beautiful film story. What begins as a purely practical arrangement grows into a friendship capable of crossing almost every boundary we tend to take for granted: age, culture, language, experience, and even our assumptions about who should be close to whom.”
VOGUE ADRIA
“One of the most beautiful films at this year's film festival. Full of warmth, with wonderful performances by Katharina Thalbach and Bardo Böhlefeld. This tragicomedy perfectly captures the full range of emotions. An idealistic but true story that offers hope.”
BR KINOKINO
"The highlight of the Munich Film Festival so far has been the feel-good film Agnes & Amir. With Katharina Thalbach and Bardo Böhlefeld, Helena Hufnagel has created [...] a sensitive masterpiece that addresses current social issues such as migration and loneliness in old age, while also shedding light on the oppressive system in Iran—without any didactic lecturing, but with great humanity.”
SCHWAEBISCHE
Selected Festivals & Awards
Munich International Film Festival
Munich International Film Festival | One Future Prize | awarded
Munich International Film Festival | Audience Award | awarded
Munich International Film Festival | One Future Prize | awarded
Munich International Film Festival | Audience Award | awarded