The whole thing, all three hours of it, went nowhere in particular. There are filmmakers who can put together a compelling 180 minute character study, but Qurbani doesn't appear to be one of them.
Most of what made Döblin's novel so interesting is absent here. The updated setting, with its focus on refugee identiy and experience, opens up a world of possibility that the film never really explores in great depth - though it really wants you to think it has. It's stylish, sure, but even that begins to grate fairly quickly. The whispered, whinging voice-over, reminding us every so often what we're supposed to be feeling, is overused and begins to border on the ridiculous.
All in all, 4 stars for some good camerawork and solid performances. Unfortunately, nothing else delivered.
Most of what made Döblin's novel so interesting is absent here. The updated setting, with its focus on refugee identiy and experience, opens up a world of possibility that the film never really explores in great depth - though it really wants you to think it has. It's stylish, sure, but even that begins to grate fairly quickly. The whispered, whinging voice-over, reminding us every so often what we're supposed to be feeling, is overused and begins to border on the ridiculous.
All in all, 4 stars for some good camerawork and solid performances. Unfortunately, nothing else delivered.