Berlin Alexanderplatz

When Francis, the sole survivor of a boat crossing from Africa, wakes up on a beach in southern Europe, he swears an oath to God: from now on, he will be a new, better, and decent person. Soon after, Francis finds himself in Berlin, where he realizes how difficult it is to be righteous when you are an "illegal" refugee in Germany-without papers and without a work permit. This makes the offer from the charismatic German Reinhold to earn easy money dealing drugs all the more tempting. At first, Francis resists the temptation and struggles to get by as an illegal worker on a construction site at Berlin's Alexanderplatz. But when a bloody fight breaks out there, Francis flees and eventually finds a new home with Reinhold. The two men develop a close but destructive friendship. Francis becomes part of Reinhold's business - and thus increasingly goes astray. After Francis loses his left arm, he finally gives up. But then he meets Mieze, a young prostitute who saves his life after he attempts suicide and takes him in. The two fall in love, and when Mieze becomes pregnant, Francis decides to finally turn over a new leaf. But once again, he cannot resist Reinhold's charm, who cannot bear Francis' happiness. Reinhold kills Mieze, driving Francis almost insane. Only now, on the brink of utter despair, does Francis realize all the mistakes he has made.