Handsome Albanian villager Arben wants to marry Etleva, daughter of a neighboring clan, but her father has promised her to another man who is offering a 10,000€ bride price. But when it turns out Etleva is carrying Arben's child, the pressure is on for him to come up with the dowry before the baby is born -- and before her brothers take revenge for the dishonor he has brought their family. Fleeing to Berlin without papers, experience or knowledge of the language, Arben soon learns the ways of survival.
Acting
Nik Xhelilaj's face does the heavy lifting—barely speaks German, says everything.
Direction
Naber refuses to romanticize the migrant experience, no catharsis offered.
Director
Johannes Naber
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot in actual Berlin underground economies with non-professional Albanian actors, many with similar real experiences.
The Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini—traditional Albanian honor code—still governs rural blood feuds and bride prices, despite 50 years of communist suppression.
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