An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker

Nazif and Senada live with their two daughters in a dilapidated house in a remote Bosnian village. The father tries to keep the family fed by collecting scrap iron. One day, however, he has to bring the pregnant Senada to the hospital in nearby Tuzla. Because the family does not have health insurance, Senada has to pay 500 euros for her operation, and the hospital staff has no understanding for the poor Roma family’s situation. Nazif has just a few days to try to find a way out and save Senada’s life.... In his fifth feature film, director Danis Tanović takes advantage of the possibility of looking at real human tragedy as an engaged documentary filmmaker. The main roles in this critique of contemporary Bosnia’s broken moral compass are played by non-actors: Nazif Mujić and Senada Alimanović play themselves. At the 2013 Berlinale, the film was awarded the Jury Grand Prix, as well as a Best Actor Silver Bear for Mujić. (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)