Milcho Manchevski Talks ‘Sister Brother Manhole Cover’, His Second Feature Of 2026 & Exposing Corruption At Macedonia’s Film Agency — Tokyo
Milcho Manchevski’s film *Sister Brother Manhole Cover* is screening in competition at the Tokyo Film Festival, marking his ninth feature and second film released this year. Its story follows two siblings who steal bronze busts and manhole covers in post-Communist Macedonia; after one theft leaves Viktor badly injured, his sister Malina makes a deal with a corrupt doctor, drawing them into the criminal underworld.
Manchevski says the film grew from an interest in sibling love and inequality, and uses humour and defiance to portray characters who see themselves as having agency despite their limited choices. He says monuments were widely installed in Macedonia in the early 2010s and that the bronze can be sold for about three euros per kilo. The filmmaker also discusses being blacklisted and having projects halted after reporting corruption at Macedonia’s Film Agency; the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission later upheld his accusations after an investigation.
In short
- Manchevski’s ninth feature is competing at the Tokyo Film Festival.
- The story follows siblings who steal bronze and become entangled with a corrupt doctor.
- His corruption allegations against Macedonia’s Film Agency were upheld after an investigation.
Explained simply
Milcho Manchevski is a filmmaker from North Macedonia, the country formerly known as Macedonia. His new film centres on a brother and sister stealing bronze statues and manhole covers, which can be sold for scrap. Their choices lead them into dealings with a doctor and people involved in crime.
The story is set against the changes that followed the end of Communist rule, when money and opportunity were unevenly shared. Manchevski has said the film explores family ties and how people try to make choices when their options are limited. He has also spoken publicly about alleged corruption at the country’s film agency; an official anti-corruption body later upheld his accusations after investigating.