The Albanian (2010)
A young Albanian man races against time, fleeing to Berlin to earn a bride price and protect the woman he loves from clan retribution.
The Albanian - Movie Information
- Original Title: Shqiptari
- Release Year: 2010
- Directed by: Johannes Naber
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 45m
- Original Language: Albanian
- Spoken Languages: Albanian, German
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 28, 2010 (Germany - 12), January 11, 2011 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: Shqiptari (AL), The Albanian (US), L'Albanais (FR)
- Production Companies: Neue Schönhauser Filmproduktion, On Film Production, ARTE, SWR
- Production Countries: Albania, Germany
The Albanian - Plot
Handsome Albanian villager Arben wants to marry Etleva, daughter of a neighboring clan, but her father has promised her to another man who is offering a 10,000€ bride price. But when it turns out Etleva is carrying Arben's child, the pressure is on for him to come up with the dowry before the baby is born -- and before her brothers take revenge for the dishonor he has brought their family. Fleeing to Berlin without papers, experience or knowledge of the language, Arben soon learns the ways of survival.
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The Albanian - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Johannes Naber
Main Cast
- Nik Xhelilaj
- Amos Zaharia
- Stipe Erceg
- Eva Löbau
- Çun Lajçi
- Yllka Mujo
- Luan Jaha
- Julian Deda
- André Hennicke
- Young-Shin Kim
Writers
- Johannes Naber
- Chris Silber
- Andeta Spahivogli
- Alexander Steimle
Producers
- Dritan Huqi
- Boris Schönfelder
The Albanian - FAQs
Where can you watch The Albanian online?
Streaming availability for The Albanian varies by region and platform. You can check the most current options — including rental, purchase, and subscription services available in your area — by visiting JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date streaming information for this film.
Is The Albanian based on a true story?
The Albanian is not based on a specific true story. However, director Johannes Naber drew on real social conditions in rural Albania, including the practice of bride prices and clan-based honor codes, to craft a grounded, realistic narrative about economic desperation and migration.
Who are the main actors in The Albanian?
The Albanian stars Nik Xhelilaj as Arben, the determined young villager at the center of the story. The supporting cast includes Amos Zaharia, Stipe Erceg, Eva Löbau, Çun Lajçi, Yllka Mujo, Luan Jaha, Julian Deda, André Hennicke, and Young-Shin Kim.
What is The Albanian about?
The Albanian follows Arben, a young man from rural Albania who secretly fathers a child with Etleva, a woman promised to another. To pay the required bride price and prevent violent retribution from her family, he flees to Berlin without papers, language skills, or connections, navigating survival in an unfamiliar city.
When was The Albanian released?
The Albanian had its German release on June 28, 2010, where it was rated suitable for audiences aged 12 and above. It subsequently opened in the United States on January 11, 2011, expanding its reach to international audiences.
Who directed The Albanian film?
The Albanian was directed by Johannes Naber, a German filmmaker. Naber also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Chris Silber, Andeta Spahivogli, and Alexander Steimle, bringing both a personal creative vision and collaborative research to the project's authentic portrayal of Albanian culture.
What languages is The Albanian spoken in?
The Albanian is spoken primarily in Albanian, reflecting the film's cultural roots and the protagonist's journey. German is also featured prominently as Arben navigates life in Berlin, making the language barrier itself a meaningful dramatic element throughout the story.
How long is The Albanian movie?
The Albanian has a runtime of 105 minutes, or 1 hour and 45 minutes. This length gives the film sufficient space to develop Arben's transformation from a villager bound by tradition to a resourceful, tested young man surviving on the margins of a foreign city.
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