‘Shame and Money’ Director Explains Why His Int’l Oscar Hopeful About Dignity Feels So Physical

After losing their livelihood in a Kosovo village, a family moves to Pristina and struggles to find a place in a costly, hyper-capitalist society. Director Visar Morina says the film explores how political upheaval shapes ordinary people’s lives, while its focus on one family’s daily pressures can speak to audiences elsewhere.

Shame and Money premiered at Sundance, winning the World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize, which qualifies it to compete for the international feature film Oscar under updated Academy rules. Morina based the village story on where he grew up and said he wanted to use real prices for items such as peppers, rent and salaries from the time of filming. Oscilloscope Laboratories plans a North American release in early 2027.