Refugee 11 (2017)

"Refugee 11" are 27 players from 15 countries. Five Syrians, four Afghans and three Ghanaians - other players are from Eritrea, Nigeria, Sudan and Ethiopia, Iraq and Iran, Pakistan and Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, from Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania. They don't speak the same language; they couldn't be more different. During the week they wait for a letter from the ministry of immigration - hoping to be allowed to start a new life. Every weekend, they play soccer - in the lowest league, but they give it their best. It's their only opportunity to feel free, to show the world who they are and that they can make it on their own. "Refugee 11" tells the story of this refugee soccer team and their every-day life in small-town Germany near Cologne. The film follows the team and the townspeople through the season of 2016 for six months. A story of young men who came to stay, about the challenges they face and the obstacles they have to overcome to become a team and to stay in Germany. A story of hope and acceptance, the magic of soccer and the realm of the possible.