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FILMS Germany / Albania

The Albanian challenges Europe's faith in humanity

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Johannes Naber's drama The Albanian [+see also:
trailer
interview: Nik Xhelilaj - Albania
film profile
]
is an engaging film that poses important questions regarding Europe's humanity. Currently screening in the East of the West competition at Karlovy Vary (July 2-10), the director's feature debut recently won the Special Jury Award at the Moscow International Film Festival as well as Best Actor for Nik Xhelilaj in the lead role.

We first meet Arben Shehu as he is returning to his native Albania. He has spent the last two months working in neighboring Greece, where, he explains to his patient girlfriend Etleva, the girls eat too much moussaka.

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When Etleva becomes pregnant, Arben promises to marry her, but her clan disapproves. His only hope is to find work in Berlin, without a visa, and quickly earn enough money to pay off Etleva's father's debts. In Berlin, Arben finds work smuggling other illegals. A final deal goes wrong, however, and Arben's brother turns up unexpectedly with bad news.

The Albanian is not only a sensitive portrayal of an immigrant's plight, it's a pretty good thriller, too, covering similar ground as the Dardenne brothers' Lorna’s Silence [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Arta Dobroshi
interview: Arta Dobroshi
interview: Jean-Pierre et Luc Dardenne
interview: Olivier Bronckart
film profile
]
but with less ambiguity. Director-scriptwriter Naber seems to suggest that Europe's professed values of humanity and equality are ephemeral. Illegal immigrants like Arben — or, for that matter, anyone without the necessary papers, connections and cash — are disposable, despite what our charters say.

The production makes good but fleeting use of some stunning Albanian scenery before settling into anonymous, ugly Berlin backstreets. Some plot points seem expedient (Arben's friend goes from being a homeless man on death's door to a hale yuppie about to marry in under three months) but the story overall is solid. Xhelilaj is outstanding as Arben, even when playing the bumpkin.

The Albanian is a co-production between Neue Schönhauser Filmproduktion (Germany) and On Film Production (Albania).

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