The films Entre les Murs(The Class) and Angst Essen Seele Auf(Ali: Fear Eats the Soul) both address the insincerity of social conformity and the systemic failure which results in physical, mental, and intellectual suffering of those deemed to be outsiders. Both films, at their core, depict a struggle to assert individual identity and agency against systems which value conformity. This theme is expressed through the unlikely romantic relationship in Ali and through student conduct and learning outcomes in Entre les Murs. Emmi and Ali struggle to reconcile their desires with the expectations of German society. Emmi claims to want nothing but Ali but is constantly seen falling back into her socially dictated role of privilege as a native born German going so far as to exclude a Yugoslavian immigrant even after she had personally experienced the same discrimination for her marriage to Ali. Emmi’s primary concern is to fit in, she is always concerned with what others are doing and that she follow that action, asking in the bar ‘what does everybody drink here,’ before placing her order. Ali has a more conflicted relationship with his societal expectations. He…show more content… The film takes place entirely within a school, and the majority of the time is spent within the walls of a single classroom. The students see the teacher, François, as the personification of the French system which refuses to see their individual identities. Within the walls nothing is learned and students frequently act out and disrespect François, but not for lack of effort on his part. He has the best of intentions for his students but within the system there is no way for him to achieve success. To the students downfall the system does not or cannot accommodate their unique struggles, neither as immigrants nor as students. Within the classroom there is no hope for success, genuine interaction, or cultural growth and
