Cinema release: Documentary about the challenges in youth welfare

Cinema release: Documentary about the challenges in youth welfare

The documentary celebrates on June 5, 2025Basically family, directed by Daniel Abma, in cinemas nationwide. This emotional film is dedicated to everyday life in a residential group for children and young people and addresses the often invisible but fundamental work of specialists in child and youth welfare. The premiere took place as part of the DOK Leipzig 2024 and was largely received positively by film critics. The audience gains insights into the challenges that educators have to overcome in their everyday working lives.

The premiere in Potsdam is planned for June 4, 2025 at the Thalia Arthouse Cinema Babelsberg. There will be a film discussion with editor Jana Dugnus and Daniel Abma. Another film premiere in Cottbus will follow on June 10, 2025 in the Weltspiegel film theater, also with a subsequent discourse.

Core content and narrative structure

The film highlights the lives and challenges of five children who live in a residential group and shows how the educators Mr. Wagner, Ms. Wagner and Mr. Gerecke try to offer these children a home without acting as substitute parents. The professionals are required to act as a link between the children, their families and the youth welfare offices, while at the same time providing security and support.

With a duration of 91 minutes and an FSK rating of zero, the film is produced by Bandenfilm in co-production with Radio Berlin-Brandenburg, Arte and Camino Filmverleih. The loving depiction of everyday life is perceived by critics as “sensitively and cleverly observed” and is intended to help break down prejudices.

Criticism and awards

Critics emphasize the sensitive production and the authentic portrayal of life in the residential group. Christian Nephew described the film as “sensitive and cleverly observed,” while Deutschlandfunk praised it as “impressive.” Doreen Kaltenecker gives it nine out of ten points and calls the film a “declaration of love to the educator profession”.

In addition, receivedBasically familyhas already received several awards, including the ver.di Prize for Solidarity, Humanity and Fairness at the DOK Leipzig 2024 and a nomination for the German Camera Prize. These merits underline the social relevance and importance of the film's subject matter. Gunda Bartels emphasizes that the film functions as an “empowerment film” and addresses social challenges in an appealing way.

Abma's interpretation is also compared to other documentary masterpieces such asÊtre et avoirandMr. Bachmann and his classcompared. The film's powerful message argues for the need for responsible and empathetic pedagogy in youth welfare.

Overall offersBasically familynot only provides a deep insight into the realities of life for children in residential care, but also promotes a better understanding of the challenges that educators face. It is an essential contribution to the current discussion about reforms in the area of ​​youth welfare.

For more information about the film, including details about the production and the actors involved, visit the website Film University, Camino movie, and Wikipedia.