Europa

Near the start of Sudabeh Mortezai’s latest film, we discover underground concrete bunkers in the Albanian countryside originally built during the era of Communist dictator Enver Hoxha. As we quickly learn, these now-empty spaces are about to be occupied by the private interests that represent the new world order. EUROPA centres on Beate (Lilith Stangenberg), a German envoy for the mysterious Europa Corporation. Her job is to convince the last remaining people still holding out to sell their ancestral lands to the company. But beneath Beate’s platitudes about infrastructure, local investment and the preservation of culture, one senses something far more mercenary. From her grimace when trying local delicacies to her demand for anti-bacterial gel while taking a tour of the area, Beate reflects the new arrogance of neoliberal business, barely concealing her contempt for the way of life she’s set on destroying. Mortezai’s patient, methodical direction allows us to observe the concrete symptoms and effects of global capital and its movements, a wolf set loose among the sheep. (Michael Sicinski)

In the presence of Sudabeh Mortezai, Mehrdad Mortezai (Production), Lilith Stangenberg and members of the team.
The conversation on the 23rd of October will be sign interpreted. More info here.

Sudabeh Mortezai: CHILDREN OF THE PROPHET (2006), IM BAZAR DER GESCHLECHTER (2010), MACONDO (2014), JOY (2018)