The Albanian

The Albanian (Der Albaner, Shqiptari) is a 2010 German-Albanian drama film directed by Johannes Naber and starring the Albanian award-winning Nik Xhelilaj.

Plot
For the sake of love and the situations imposed by the life in his country, Arben emigrates to Germany. An illegal emigration, in search of money, a subtle condition to protect his love; an adventure that unintentionally confronts him with the unmerciful world of crime.

Cast

 * Nik Xhelilaj as Arben
 * Xhejlane Tërbunia as Etleva
 * Ivan Shvedoff as Slatko
 * Amos Zaharia as Ilir
 * Stipe Erceg as Damir
 * Eva Löbau as Nicola
 * Çun Lajçi as Arben's father
 * Luan Jaha as Arben's uncle
 * Yllka Mujo as Etleva's mother
 * Guljelm Radoja as Etleva's father
 * Bruno Shllaku as Sali
 * Julian Deda as Florenç
 * André Hennicke as Pharmacist
 * Besmir Halitaj as Taulant
 * Ledio Janushi as Skerdi
 * Elton Lomthi as Artan
 * Hazir Sh. Haziri as Edon

Awards and competition
Within a short screening period, the film has won several awards and the sympathy of the audience. The leading actor Nik Xhelilaj has earned three Best Leading Actor awards until now in three different film festivals.

Awards won
 * Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis 2011
 * Best Film / Max-Ophüls-Preis
 * Cinéma Tous Ecrans - Geneva international Film Festival 2010
 * Best Film "Reflet d'Or" (Ex aequo)
 * Public Award for Best long feature film
 * 32nd Moscow International Film Festival
 * Special Jury Prize "Silver George"
 * Best Actor Prize "Silver George" for Nik Xhelilaj
 * Bergen International Film Festival 2010
 * Special Jury Mention
 * PriFilmFest - Prishtina International Film Festival 2010
 * Special Jury Award for the film
 * "Golden Goddess" Best Actor Award for Nik Xhelilaj
 * 47th Antalya "Golden Orange" International Film Festival
 * Best Actor Award for Nik Xhelilaj in the International Feature Competition

The film has also competed in other film festivals such as 45th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and 22nd Palm Springs International Film Festival and 15th Busan International Film Festival.