GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL 2020 - Nobadi

GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL 2020

Robert Senft (Heinz Trixner), a 91-year-old Austrian man, stares at the lifeless corpse of his only companion: his dog. He wishes to give his dearly departed friend a proper burial in his garden but, due to his age, physical labour has become a struggle. He enlists the help of Adib (Borhanulddin Hassan Zader) to complete the task, an Afghani migrant he meets on the streets of Vienna.  Senft is resentful of the fact he has resorted to accepting help from other people. He is a typical grumpy, old white man, often lashing out at Adib for not doing the work correctly. Later, Senft attempts to put aside his prejudices and begins to care for Adib, helping him with medical care due to the fact he is undocumented and refuses to visit a hospital in fear of being deported.

Nobadi, from director, Karl Markovics, is an interesting piece of Austrian cinema. The film  comments on the refugee crisis that has been plaguing different European nations and explores how humans who are searching for a better life are treated so horrendously. Senft and Adib are complete opposites on their paths in life, with Senft verbally abusing Adib and Adib taking the insults with a kindly “yes master”. When Senft takes the time to get to know Adib, he begins to understand their shared humanity and gains empathy for him, going to extreme lengths to help him find medical care and not be sent back to Afghanistan. The chemistry between Trixner and Zader’s characters is out of this world. These two actors are able to create a riveting first act which solely revolves around a tree stump being pulled out of the ground. 

While the film starts off as a drama about two men coming to an understanding of one another, there is a particular point in the film where it takes a sudden, shocking turn. Watching Nobadi it is definitely best to be completely unaware of when and how said twist occurs. There is also a particular scene towards the end of the film which demonstrates impeccable practical effects. These are also seen throughout the film with the body of Senft’s dead dog. Both the editing and score provide elevation, creating such high tension that the audience will practically feel their stomach in their throat.

Nobadi is an incredibly sad and heartbreaking film that also provides brutal shock value. In addition to its contemporary subject matter, the film also explores tinges of Nazism and the story of Homer’s Odyssey. Markovics provides an interesting commentary on the refugee crisis in Europe that some may find insightful and others will find downright horrific.