Shame and Money

Germany/Kosovo/Slovenia/Albania/North Macedonia/Belgium2026130 minAlbanian

After losing their livelihood in a village, a Kosovar family is forced to move to the capital in pursuit of a place in a hypercapitalist society.

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After losing their livelihood in a village, a Kosovar family is forced to move to the capital in pursuit of a place in a hypercapitalist society.

Shame and Money is a finely crafted portrait of hardworking people striving for a decent life while navigating relentless pressures and chronic instability. Shaban, a traditional head of the household, wants to be the provider, yet his mother’s savings keep the family afloat, and accepting help from a wealthy brother-in-law comes with additional challenges. With his pride steadily bruised and dignity slipping out of reach, Shaban drifts closer to an unseen edge — raising the question of how much more he can possibly endure.

Director Visar Morina (Exile, 2020 Sundance Film Festival) approaches this complex story with great precision and confidence. Shame and Money is a masterclass in nuanced performances, especially from leads Astrit Kabashi and Flonja Kodheli, who inhabit Shaban and his wife, Hatixhe, with grace, empathy, and deep humanity. — AT

Available in person. Also available online for the public (January 29–February 1) and credentialed press and industry (January 28–February 1).

World Cinema Dramatic CompetitionAll FeaturesInternationalNon-English LanguageDramaFictionEnglish SubtitlesU.S. Only- less

Credits

Director(s)
Visar Morina
Screenwriter
Visar Morina
Doruntina Basha
Producer
Fabian Altenried
Sophie Ahrens
Kristof Gerega
Pia Hellenthal
Visar Morina
Co-Producers
Eshref Durmishi
Besnik Krapi
Danijel Hočevar
Dritan Huqi
Marija Dimitrova
Marc Goyens
Cinematographer
Janis Mazuch
Editor
Joëlle Alexis
Composer
Mario Batkovic
Costume Designer
Desantila Lika
Production Designer
Burim Arifi
Makeup Artist
Talija Ivančič
Production Sound
Igor Popovski
Sound Designer
Julij Zornik
Principal Cast
Astrit Kabashi
Flonja Kodheli
Kumrije Hoxha
Fiona Gllavica
Alban Ukaj

Company
Vicky Bane, Schuldenberg Films
Website
www.schuldenbergfilms.com
Contact
Denise Sinelov
denise@requiredviewing.net
004915123456557

Meet the Artist

Visar Morina

Visar Morina was born in Pristina, Kosovo. He graduated in film direction from the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne. His two feature films and short films premiered at the Berlinale, the Sundance Film Festival, Locarno, and Karlovy Vary and won several awards, including the Golden Lola for Best Screenplay and the Heart of Sarajevo.

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