Oscilloscope Laboratories has obtained North American distribution rights to Visar Morina's film "Shame and Money," which earned the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at Sundance and now qualifies for the Oscar for international feature under the Academy's new rules.
The company intends to launch the movie in theatres in early 2027.
Starring Astrit Kabashi, Flonja Kodheli, Kumrije Hoxa, Fiona Gllavica and Alban Ukaj, the picture was co-written by Morina and Doruntina Basha.
Set in rural Kosovo, the story follows a couple in their 40s living with an extended family on a modest farm. After a family dispute destroys their livelihood, they relocate to Pristina, where the pressure to support their relatives drives them to seek work and housing.
Morina said: "In times when the majority of people worldwide are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet, I believe we need a kind of class consciousness, and I hope our film makes a small contribution toward that."
Oscilloscope president Dan Berger added, "Visar's has drawn a portrait of a family that is subtle, searingly real and ultimately humane. We feel as one with the characters and their struggles, fully signed on for this indictment of an economic system constructed to keep too many people down."
The producers include Fabian Altenried, Sophie Ahrens and Kristof Gerega of Schuldenberg Films, along with Pia Hellenthal and Morina.
International sales agency The Yellow Affair has sold rights for France (Arizona Distribution), Indonesia (Falcon), Spain (Mirror Audiovisual), Switzerland (Trigon) and Turkey (Filmarti), with more deals pending. Eksystent Filmverleih released the film theatrically in Germany in September.
Since Sundance, "Shame and Money" has collected numerous accolades, such as the Cinemasters Jury Prize at FilmFest Munich, best film and best actor at Prifest Kosovo, and four honors at ODA Film Festival for best movie, actress, actor and script.
The film marks Morina's third feature after "Exile" and "Babai"; he is represented by Cinetic Media.
