Berliner
Berliner follows a middle-aged immigrant woman from Georgia, Nana, an interpreter working for the Berlin law enforcement authority and refugee facility. She translates testimonies of criminal suspects from Post-Soviet countries and assists newly arrived refugees. Nana is always on call, never knowing when she will be asked to go in for work, which neighborhood or city she will end up in. She likes the job that keeps her on the move. She starts every new translation with the following words: 'Hello, I'm your interpreter.'
Years ago, Nana managed to survive and integrate into a foreign country all by herself.
Nana stands out with her unique character, tone of voice, flashy and color-coordinated outfits. She has a German husband and two kids with whom she lives in the old district of Berlin. Nana's inseparable accessory is a little suitcase, which is part of her daily life and makes her character even more charming. Nana's suitcase is for unforeseen occasions; she carries all her necessities like her armor, helping her and others face the daily challenges. The suitcase makes her look like a tourist against the backdrop of the big city of Berlin.
Nana takes her job seriously and tries to keep a professional distance, but usually, she takes the stories of refugees and suspects too close to her heart. She can identify with their problems and see them as a personal challenge because she went through the same herself years ago.
In the film, we observe the broad theme of immigration, the process that an asylum seeker in Germany goes through, and how this process intersects with criminal activities. Through Nana, the film will explore and unveil unknown stories of newcomers who struggle on their way to finding happiness abroad through different paths.
Years ago, Nana managed to survive and integrate into a foreign country all by herself.
Nana stands out with her unique character, tone of voice, flashy and color-coordinated outfits. She has a German husband and two kids with whom she lives in the old district of Berlin. Nana's inseparable accessory is a little suitcase, which is part of her daily life and makes her character even more charming. Nana's suitcase is for unforeseen occasions; she carries all her necessities like her armor, helping her and others face the daily challenges. The suitcase makes her look like a tourist against the backdrop of the big city of Berlin.
Nana takes her job seriously and tries to keep a professional distance, but usually, she takes the stories of refugees and suspects too close to her heart. She can identify with their problems and see them as a personal challenge because she went through the same herself years ago.
In the film, we observe the broad theme of immigration, the process that an asylum seeker in Germany goes through, and how this process intersects with criminal activities. Through Nana, the film will explore and unveil unknown stories of newcomers who struggle on their way to finding happiness abroad through different paths.
9-Month Contract
Jana spent her childhood between orphanages and streets of Tbilisi. Now raising a teenage daughter Elene as a single parent, without an occupation, she becomes a surrogate mother. Only 9 months of carrying someone else's baby in exchange for 14.000 USD, an unimaginable amount of money for Jana. Of course, she's on board.
Jana has already given birth to three babies out of two surrogate pregnancies and is pregnant for the third time. Although she is not living in the street any more, she is still far from her dream to have her own place to live. It is unclear how many babies Jana needs to deliver to fulfil her dream. The amount that seems a lot at the beginning, disappears in between her pregnancies. Then Jana needs to start the process again.
As Jana’s health deteriorates from pregnancy to pregnancy, she thinks what might happen to her in the worst case, but lacking other options, Jana sees surrogacy as the only way out of homelessness. Elene’s future is a strong motivation for Jana to carry on through this emotionally and physically hard journey as long as her health allows.
Elene is growing up, so Jana isn’t able to hide her pregnancies from her any more. Her relationship with Elene is the most precious thing for Jana and she is afraid to open up to her about surrogacy. She feels that Elene might judge her, because deep in her heart, Jana does judge herself.
Very close and intimate camera follows Jana during her third pregnancy into a closed- off surrogacy world. Current pregnancy becomes a real problem. Besides the invincible fear of talking to Elene, she worries about the absence of a contract with the foreign prospective father. After delivering the baby, the surrogacy agency pushes her to register and take the child out of the hospital as her own. Refusing to do illegal things, Jana leaves the hospital worried that the infant may end up in an orphanage like herself, and she - in court, against powerful surrogacy business.
Jana has already given birth to three babies out of two surrogate pregnancies and is pregnant for the third time. Although she is not living in the street any more, she is still far from her dream to have her own place to live. It is unclear how many babies Jana needs to deliver to fulfil her dream. The amount that seems a lot at the beginning, disappears in between her pregnancies. Then Jana needs to start the process again.
As Jana’s health deteriorates from pregnancy to pregnancy, she thinks what might happen to her in the worst case, but lacking other options, Jana sees surrogacy as the only way out of homelessness. Elene’s future is a strong motivation for Jana to carry on through this emotionally and physically hard journey as long as her health allows.
Elene is growing up, so Jana isn’t able to hide her pregnancies from her any more. Her relationship with Elene is the most precious thing for Jana and she is afraid to open up to her about surrogacy. She feels that Elene might judge her, because deep in her heart, Jana does judge herself.
Very close and intimate camera follows Jana during her third pregnancy into a closed- off surrogacy world. Current pregnancy becomes a real problem. Besides the invincible fear of talking to Elene, she worries about the absence of a contract with the foreign prospective father. After delivering the baby, the surrogacy agency pushes her to register and take the child out of the hospital as her own. Refusing to do illegal things, Jana leaves the hospital worried that the infant may end up in an orphanage like herself, and she - in court, against powerful surrogacy business.