The King’s Children

Opinions in Jena are divided over Pastor Lothar König. Many would be glad to see the back of him, along with the street children he has been caring for over many years. But the regional church stands behind the pastor of the Junge Gemeinde Stadtmitte, who fights prejudice every day and addresses social problems with provocative actions.

Remo has just turned 18 and has been living on the street for several years. At night he sleeps in derelict buildings in Jena or sometimes stays with a friend. During the day you will find the lanky boy with the dyed hair at the Junge Gemeinde Stadtmitte in Jena. Like many other street children who have found something like a substitute father in Lothar König, the city’s youth pastor. The Junge Gemeinde Jena was already famous in GDR times, because politics were discussed more openly here, because punks came and went and writers such as Jürgen Fuchs or Lutz Rathenow were guests. The building at the rear of Johannesstraße also offers refuge to young people who cannot cope with themselves and their lives, who no longer want to or cannot go home. More than a hundred children have found their way back to their families from there.

The film accompanies Pastor König and his charges through their difficult everyday lives. The parents of the young dropouts talk about their fears and worries as well as their experiences with the authorities. The pastor’s critics also have their say: a CDU city councillor and a teacher. The city’s chief of police, on the other hand, is among his supporters.