Im Osten was Neues
A documentary by
Loraine Blumenthal
Thomas “Eichi” Eichstädt coaches the football team FC Pio in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Many of the young players, like 17-year-old Asad or Thomas from Sierra Leone, have fled their home countries and struggle with finding work and acceptance. For some, Eichi is a father figure – yet he looks back on a dark past as a right-wing extremist.
- Winner: WIR Diversity Award · Filmkunstfest MV 2025
- Winner: “Gedreht in MV” Award · Filmkunstfest MV 2025
- Winner: Audience Award · Doxumentale 2025
- Winner: Best Film Integration · TAUNALE 2025
- Winner: Best Film · Mannheim Arts & Film Festival 2025
- Winner: Audience Award · Werdauer Film Fest 2026
Press – Press quotes in the original German
The Film
Im Osten was Neues
When football coach Thomas “Eichi” Eichstädt shows up at tournaments with his team from Torgelow, they stand out immediately. The tall, burly man with a shaved head, tattoos and a voice that carries across the whole pitch mainly coaches refugees.
On the pitch, the young adults are completely in the here and now. Off the field, however, they are caught up by homesickness and the uncertainties of everyday life.
Thomas Bundu fights for the right to stay for himself and his family, while 17-year-old Asad looks for a job without a school diploma. Xenophobia and the search for belonging further shape their path.
For many players, “Eichi” is a mentor and friend – at the same time he wrestles with a dark chapter of his past as a right-wing extremist and the question of how he can live with it today.
This feature-length documentary portrays their life paths – which could hardly be more different – sometimes with humour and lightness, sometimes with depth and unvarnished honesty.
Screenings
When and where is the film showing?
- 02.–03.11.2026WismarCinestarSchool screening · SchulKinoWochen Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- 02.11.2026RostockCinestar CapitolSchool screening · SchulKinoWochen Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- 03.11.2026KröslinPfarrhausSeries „Starke Stücke – berührt und diskutiert“ in cooperation with Filmland MV
- 05.11.2026Director in attendanceEsslingenKommunales KinoFilm & Talk – the series „Filme gegen Rechts“ in cooperation with Omas gegen Rechts & Heinrich Böll Stiftung
- 06.11.2026RostockCinestar Lütten KleinSchool screening · SchulKinoWochen Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- 06.11.2026Director in attendanceWilsterKulturhaus WilsterPart of LETsDOK in Schleswig-Holstein
- 07.11.2026MainzCapitol ArthouseSchool screening
- 12.11.2026Director in attendanceRöbel a.d. MüritzJugendhaus RöbelIn cooperation with RAA – Demokratie und Bildung Mecklenburg-Vorpommern e. V.
- 12.11.2026Röbel a.d. MüritzSchool screening
- 13.11.2026Director in attendanceBriggowGutshausIn cooperation with dem Heimat&Kulturverein Briggow
- 13.11.2026RostockCinestar CapitolSchool screening · SchulKinoWochen Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- 18.11.2026HamburgTiefgang BarScreening
- 26.11.2026KielTraum-KinoSchool screening
For Schools & Educators
Using the film in class.
Teaching materials for the documentary IM OSTEN WAS NEUES are now available. They offer background information, tasks and prompts for classroom discussion. Teachers can use them to explore and reflect on the film’s central themes together with their students.
We also offer workshops on the film and its themes. Teachers can either design them together with us or run them independently in class using the materials provided. Get in touch if you would like to organise a school screening or a workshop. (Materials are in German.)
Request a school screeningDirector
Loraine
Blumenthal.
Loraine is an award-winning documentary writer, director and producer from Berlin with a keen eye for profound storytelling focused on social issues. With a committed perspective on personal stories as well as current and historical events, her films have their finger on the pulse of the times, making them relevant to all of us.
From documentaries to reportages and docuseries – her work reflects a unique blend of creativity, technical finesse and cultural awareness. IM OSTEN WAS NEUES is her second feature-length documentary.
Visit Loraine Blumenthal’s websiteContact & Press
Starting a conversation with the film.
We want to show IM OSTEN WAS NEUES in many places: in rural areas, football clubs, cultural venues and places of democratic exchange.
Would you like to screen the film in your area and start a conversation together? Get in touch!
Screening & press enquiries
kontakt@mvdox.de