Neben den Gleisen

Directed by Dieter Schumann

Boizenburg is a small town on the Elbe River in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In the middle of the station forecourt stands an aging kiosk, open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. It also serves as a regular hangout for shift workers from the slaughterhouses, unemployed people, taxi drivers, and retirees. At the end of 2015, thousands of refugees arrive at the train station, wanting to go to the nearby initial reception center. The regulars, who normally drink beer and watch soccer here, begin to discuss politics and reflect on their own situation. We encounter a special moment where they give us insights into their everyday lives and talk about their frustrations and hopes.