Aus dem Leben eines Schrottsammlers (An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker, Epizoda u zivotu beraca zeljeza)
Bosnia and Herzegovina/France/Slovenia/Italy 2013

Opening 10 Oct 2013

Directed by: Danis Tanovic
Writing credits: Danis Tanovic
Principal actors: Nazif Mujic, Senada Alimanovic, Semsa Mujic, Sandra Mujic

Watching three Roma brothers literally destroy old cars with sledge hammers in order to sell the scrap for money in a desolate landscape makes us realize how hard life can be. Director Danis Tanovic dives into the lives of this gypsy family who is living on the edge of life.

This film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and walked away as Winner of the Jury Grand Prize. The bleak atmosphere leads us to believe this family is doomed. Nazif’s wife, who is pregnant with their third child, begins to suffer internal pain and then is told the child has died. She is in need of an immediate surgery since she is at risk of septicaemia. The hospital refuses to take them since they have no health insurance, no money and, as it appears, no hope. But this is a family who is used to hardships and between themselves they are willing to find hope. The story is as authentic as it gets since it is based on a true story, and the family involved are playing themselves. The father, Nazif, received the Silver Bear at the Berlinale for best actor. He is clearly a man who understands the meaning of love. (Shelly Schoeneshoefer)