Ali: Fear Eats the Soul

Name: Ali: Fear Eats the Soul
Director: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Genre: Romance, Drama
Released: 1974
Duration: 93 min

1h 33m · 1974 · Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder · 4.2 / 5 on Letterboxd

Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974) runs 1h 33m, directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. It is one of 3,647 films in the 100 Minute Movies catalog — every one rated 3.0 or higher by Letterboxd members and short enough to finish in an evening.

Emmi Kurowski, a cleaning lady, is lonely in her old age. Her husband died years ago, and her grown children offer little companionship. One night she goes to a bar frequented by Arab immigrants and strikes up a friendship with middle-aged mechanic Ali. Their relationship soon develops into something more, and Emmi's family and neighbors criticize their spontaneous marriage. Soon Emmi and Ali are forced to confront their own insecurities about their future.

Genres: Romance, Drama

Where to watch: HBO Max (US, checked 9 July 2026)

More short films like Ali: Fear Eats the Soul

A Special Day (1977)
Days of Heaven (1978)
In the Mood for Love (2000)
Before Sunrise (1995)
Before Sunset (2004)
Casablanca (1943)

Browse all 3,647 films