Life is absurd and harsh, yet humans are resilient

Director Danis Tanović, who won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for his depiction of the folly of war in 'No Man's Land,' has brought a true story of a Roma family to the screen.


In 2011, a newspaper article reported that Senada, a Roma woman living in her native Bosnia and Herzegovina, could not undergo surgery because she lacked health insurance. Upon reading this, director Danis Tanović felt compelled to "make a film about this and bring it to the public's attention." He took the initiative, investing his own funds of just 13,000 euros, and completed this film in a mere nine days.


Starring Senada and Nazif themselves, the film creates a tense visual world akin to a documentary. Through a novel approach called "docudrama"—a blend of documentary reporting and dramatic representation—it delivers a miraculous human story.

An Incident Befalls a Poor Yet Happy Roma Family

The Mujić family, Roma living in Bosnia and Herzegovina and making a living by collecting scrap metal, were leading a poor but happy life. One day, Senada, the wife, who was pregnant with their third child, experienced severe abdominal pain and was taken to the hospital. The doctor informed her, "She needs immediate surgery, or it will be critical," but because she lacked health insurance, they demanded a prohibitively high surgical fee.


Despite pleading for his wife's surgery, the hospital refused. They had no choice but to return home that day. To save Senada's life, her husband, Nazif, desperately collected scrap metal and sought help from national organizations...


Despite having no prior acting experience, Nazif Mujić won the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival. This film even led to him obtaining health insurance and a stable job, truly a moving story that changed the family's real lives.


Nazif's quiet determination in facing trials to protect his family and his profound contemplation on the meaning of living with loved ones will undoubtedly move audiences.

The Tale of the Waste Sorter

Opens nationwide on Saturday, January 11th, at Shinjuku Musashinokan and other theaters.

Directed and Screenplay by Danis Tanović

Starring: Senada Alimanović, Nazif Mujić

Distribution: Bitters End

Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Slovenia / 74 min / Original Title: 'Epizoda u životu berača željeza'

http://www.bitters.co.jp/tetsukuzu/