The director of the critically acclaimed film 'Shame and Money', Visar Morina, is back at the Sarajevo Film Festival with his latest work. This film, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, delves into the harsh realities of economic desperation and exploitation in contemporary Europe. Morina's previous film, 'Exile', also premiered at Sundance and won the Sarajevo Film Festival in 2020, drawing inspiration from his own experiences as a Kosovan immigrant. 'Shame and Money' follows a couple, Shaban and Hatixhe, who are forced to move to Pristina after a family dispute leads to the loss of their livelihood. The film provides a bleak portrayal of Kosovo, a war-torn country struggling with social fabric issues. Morina sees the film as a parable of modern-day Europe, highlighting the rising cost of living, housing shortages, and the growing divide between the wealthy and the poor. He believes that Kosovo is heading towards a situation similar to that of Germany, where the cost of living is skyrocketing, and the gap between the rich and the poor is widening. The film's portrayal of a man's value being calculated down to the last cent is particularly striking, as Morina recalls a Kosovan man's quote: 'When you're broke, even your mom doesn't love you.' This film is a powerful commentary on the lives of outsiders, those who are marginalized due to immigration or class status. Morina's work serves as a stark warning about the direction our societies are trending, where social harmony is at risk of breaking down. The Sarajevo Film Festival, running from August 14th to 21st, will showcase this thought-provoking film, leaving audiences with a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by those on the periphery of society.
