A house by the lake, a cat purring in the sun, five children sitting at the dining table. However, the children are not with their parents, but with educators from the youth welfare residential group in which they live. For reasons that are not foregrounded in the film, they cannot grow up with their families. Instead, the film follows their everyday lives between the youth welfare office, school and their attempts to find stability.
Documentary film director Daniel Abma accompanied the residential group in a rural area for several years. The result is a sensitive, observational documentary that focuses on the educators – people who try day in, day out to give children what they need most: Security and someone who is on their side.
Im Prinzip Familie” is just as hopeful, inspiring and emotionally moving as “Systemsprenger”. The film shows how much emotional work is involved in child and youth welfare and the responsibility that professionals bear in everyday life.
Following the screening, we invite you to a discussion with the director. The discussion partner is Britta Licht, Federal Commissioner for Children’s Rights of the Humanist Association of Germany.
Daniel Abma (born 1978 in the Netherlands) initially studied primary school education and worked as a media educator before studying directing at the Babelsberg Film University. His documentary work focuses on social issues and character-based observations. His films – including “Nach Wriezen” (2012), “Transit Havanna” (2016) and “Autobahn” (2019) – have been shown internationally at festivals such as IDFA, Karlovy Vary and DOK Leipzig and have won several awards.
Im Prinzip Familie
Germany 2024 | 94 minutes | Director: Daniel Abma
Screening and talk with Daniel Abma and Britta Licht
Monday, June 1, 2026, 6 to 8:30 pm
Kino Central, Rosenthaler Straße 39, 10178 Berlin – Mitte
Tickets: https://kino-central.de/film/im-prinzip-familie/
A warm welcome to you!
