Elaha

Drama // Germany 2023 // 110 min
From the Berlinale 2023 Perspektive Deutsches Kino Section

Milena Aboyan’s feature film debut tells the poignant story of Elaha, a 22-year-old German-Kurdish woman, who stands at the crossroads between her unconditional love for her family and her desire for an independent life. The film offers a deep look at the complex dynamics between family expectations, cultural norms, and female autonomy.

Director: Milena Aboyan
Screenplay: Milena Aboyan, Constantin Hatz
Cinematography: Christopher Behrmann
Editing: Elias Ben Engelhardt
Sound: Perschya Chehrazi
Music: Kilian Oser
Sound Design: Perschya Chehrazi
Production Design: Nora Balmer, Christina Mammes
Costumes: Paulina Immig, Lara Scherpinski
Make-Up: Milena Lazić, Faye Ryan
Assistant Director: Sara Del Barba
Production Manager: Maximilian Becht
Producer: Matthias Greving
Creative Producers: Janina Sara Hennemann, Emina Smajić
Executive Producer: Kirsten Lukaczik
Co-Producer: Igor Dovgal
Co-Production: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg Ludwigsburg, Essence Film, SWR/Arte
With: Bayan Layla (Elaha), Armin Wahedi (Nasim), Derya Dilber (Shilan), Derya Durmaz (Mother), Cansu Leyan (Berivan), Beritan Balci (Dilan), Slavko Popadić (Jusuf), Nazmi Kırık (Father), Réber Ibrahim (Sami), Homa Faghiri (Nihal), Hadnet Tesfai (Stella Zahaye)

Awards

- Lichter Film Fest Frankfurt, Germany - Audience Award
- Crossing Europe, Austria - Special Mention in Section „YAAAS!“
- Internationales Filmfest Emden-Norderney, Germany - Norderneyer Engel 2023, NDR Film Prize for Young Talent, DGB-Filmpreis
- Fünf Seen Film Festival, Germany - Perspektive Junges Kino
- First Steps Award, Germany - Götz George Young Talent Award
- Prix Europa Awards, Germany - Best Feature Film
- Televisionale Baden-Baden - MFG-Star for Best Young Director
- Sottodiciotto Film Festival, Italy - Special Mention (Bayan Layla)
- Angers Premiers Plans Film Festival, France - Scania Diversity Award
- The Bavarian Film Awards - Best Young Actress
- Amsterdam Kurdish Film Festival, Netherlands - Best Feature Fiction Award