Protagonists
Who is "German Class" about?
Ute Vecchio
... is exactly where she always wanted to be. The resolute Cologne native prepares her students for the German school system with rigour, dedication and a great deal of empathy. For Pranvera, Ferdi, Schach and Kujtim she is much more than just the class teacher.
"What are you supposed to be? All little prodigies?"
Pranvera
... wins in arm wrestling even against the boys. She is torn between homesickness for Albania and the hope to stay in Germany. When her best friend is deported, she threatens to break down from the bullying of the German students.
"You don't go on holiday in Albania."
Ferdi
... träumt von einer Ausbildung zum Automechaniker. Doch nach einer zerstückelten Schullaufbahn, die ihn vom Kosovo über Italien und Frankreich schließlich nach Deutschland führt, muss er vier Jahre Schulstoff nachholen. Mutig stellt er sich der Herkulesaufgabe, doch es bleiben ihm nur noch vier Monate.
"The world is black, blue and white."
Kujtim
... does everything he can to sit with his best friend in class and then dawdle away the lesson. He has a charming smile, is quick-witted, speaks Romani, Albanian, German and English. Unfortunately, he can't write a single language correctly. He could do much more if he wanted to.
"I know, I am forgetting my mother tongue."
Schach
... came to Germany from Kyrgyzstan with his parents two years ago. Now he has got his first C in a German test. Not enough, thinks his ambitious mother, who demands an A. How will Schach deal with the pressure?
"I wrote this to you. My mother doesn't speak German."