Kosovo-born filmmaker Visar Morina returned to the Sarajevo Film Festival with his latest drama Shame and Money, the movie that won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The film follows a farming family forced to leave their village and struggle for survival in Kosovo’s capital city. Morina describes the movie as both a reflection on past hardships and a cautionary tale about where modern society is heading.
The director, who now lives in Germany, believes the story hits close to home for many people across Europe. He points out that rising costs, housing shortages, and growing gaps between rich and poor are making life harder in places like Germany too.
“We are actually coming to a point in Germany where it feels like we are going straight to a situation like this in Kosovo,” Morina says. “It’s a look into the past and a warning to the future.”
A Family’s Fall From Farm Life to City Struggles
Shame and Money centers on Shaban (played by Astrit Kabashi) and Hatixhe (played by Flonja Kodheli), a middle-aged couple living with their extended family on a small farm in rural Kosovo. They work hard, raise their three daughters, and get by with what they have. But when a family member betrays them, they lose everything.
Forced to leave their village, the family moves to Pristina, the capital city. There, they depend on wealthy relatives for help. Shaban and Hatixhe take on low-paying jobs just to keep food on the table. The couple faces constant pressure and humiliation as they try to hold their family together.
The movie shows how quickly life can change when money runs out. One powerful moment comes when Shaban is offered a job as a night watchman at a gated community. He tells his wife the job is “to keep out poor people like us”. The line captures the painful reality of being pushed to the margins of society.
What the Director Says About the Film’s Message
Morina did not set out to make a movie about capitalism. But the story naturally led to questions about money, dignity, and what happens when everything becomes about cash.
In an interview with Cineuropa, Morina shared a story that shaped the film. While doing research, he spoke with men looking for work on the street. One man told him something that stuck with him: “Your mom doesn’t love you when you’re broke”.
“If everything becomes exchanged in terms of money, the first thing that dies will be what we call being human.”
The director says the characters in the film are inspired by people he knew growing up in Kosovo. The village shown in the movie is where he spent his childhood summers. He wanted to show the family not as helpless victims, but as hardworking, honest people trying to keep their dignity.
Strong Reviews and Critical Praise
Critics have praised Shame and Money for its honest and careful storytelling. The Hollywood Reporter called it “a slow burner, beautifully played”. Variety’s chief film critic described it as a “stoic, slowly lacerating look at economic desperation”.
The Sundance jury gave the film the top prize in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. They praised Morina for his “powerful and unique portrayal of human dignity” and his “deep empathy for his characters”.
Reviewers have also highlighted the performances of the lead actors. Astrit Kabashi and Flonja Kodheli deliver what one critic called “performances of exquisite understatement”. The film runs for 2 hours and 10 minutes.
A Film Made Across Borders
Shame and Money is a co-production between six countries: Germany, Kosovo, Slovenia, Albania, North Macedonia, and Belgium. The production companies include Schuldenberg Films and Vicky Bane. Several film agencies and funds supported the project, including Eurimages, BKM, and the Kosovo Cinematography Center.
The movie is written by Visar Morina and Doruntina Basha. It marks Morina’s third feature film and his second to screen at Sundance. His previous film, Exile, also premiered at Sundance in 2020 and later won the Sarajevo Film Festival.
The Cast Bringing the Story to Life
The main roles feature a cast of actors from Kosovo and the region.
- Astrit Kabashi as Shaban
- Flonja Kodheli as Hatixhe
- Kumrije Hoxha as Nana, the family matriarch
- Abdinaser Beka as Agim
- Fiona Gllavica as Adelina
- Alban Ukaj as Alban
- Tristan Halilaj as Liridon
Regional Premiere at Sarajevo Film Festival
Shame and Money had its regional premiere at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, which runs from August 14 to 21, 2026. The film is part of the festival’s main competition program.
For Morina, returning to Sarajevo holds special meaning. His previous film Exile won the festival in 2020. The director has expressed that he feels at home in Sarajevo.
The film continues to travel to festivals around the world. Earlier in July 2026, it won the CineMasters Award in Munich. It also screened at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
Where to Watch Shame and Money
The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 24, 2026. It has a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes. The movie is in Albanian with English subtitles.
As of now, Shame and Money is not available on streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+. The theatrical release will give audiences their first chance to see the film outside of festivals.
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A Story That Speaks to Today’s World
Morina’s film arrives at a time when many people around the world are feeling financial pressure. The story of a family losing their farm and struggling in the city reflects real challenges faced by countless families.
The director hopes the film will make audiences think about what happens when money becomes the only measure of worth. Through the eyes of Shaban and Hatixhe, viewers see how economic hardship can strip away not just resources, but also hope and identity.
Shame and Money stands as one of the most important Balkan films in recent years. With its festival wins and strong reviews, the movie has already made its mark. The September release will bring this powerful story to wider audiences.
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