Xatar’s way from the ghetto to the top of the charts is as dramatic as it is daring. From the hell of an Iraqi jail, Giwar Hajabi emigrated to Germany as a young boy with his family in the mid-1980s and has to start right at the bottom. There are opportunities, but far more obstacles. Giwar’s rise from petty criminal to major dealer is swift. Until one shipment goes missing. In order to clear his debts with the cartel, he plans a legendary gold heist. But just as everything goes wrong, another door opens for Giwar thanks to his passion for music …
Acting
Emilio Sakraya disappears completely into Xatar's volatility.
Direction
Akin's most propulsive since Head-On.
Score
The music IS the character arc.
Director
Fatih Akin
Emilio Sakraya
Giwar Hajabi
Kardo Razzazi
Ali Brecher
Mona Pirzad
Rasal Hajabi
Majid Bakhtiari
Mullah
Julia Goldberg
Leila
Karim Günes
Ali Brecher
Doğa Gürer
Murat
Marlon Heidel
Gymnasiast
Samir Jebrelli
Sidar
Denis Ölmez
Prolet
Harald Schwaiger
Mathelehrer
Jesse Albert
Hausmeister
Hussein Eliraqui
Cem
Arman Kashani
Miran
Aurel Klug
Gymnasiast
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Xatar himself appears briefly as a prison guard, silently judging his own origin story.
The real Hajabi founded Alles oder Nix Records, launching German rap's biggest stars—this film is basically his empire's origin myth.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
DE
