Sundance Review: Shame and Money is a Tense Drama Exploring the Overwhelming Pressures of Capitalism

      Shame and Money offers a precise and well-defined depiction of a Kosovan family facing crisis as they strive to make ends meet, addressing the anxieties typical of a life overshadowed by the demands of capitalism. With a documentary-like realism and a script that showcases the careful pacing reminiscent of Cristian Mungiu or Nuri Bilge Ceylan films, director Visar Morina’s third feature, following Father and Exile, delivers a gripping drama that aligns with the frustrations of its beleaguered characters.

      In a rural setting, Shaban (Astrit Kabashi) and Hatixhe (Flonja Kodheli) toil on their family dairy farm to support their three children. When Shaban’s avaricious brother Liridon (Tristan Halilaj) betrays them by absconding with their livelihood, the resulting lack of work and the potential disgrace threatening their family name compel them to move to the capital city, Pristina, joined by matriarch Nana (Kumrije Hoxa). Their link to the vibrant city is through Hatixhe’s sister Adelina (Fiona Gllavica) and her husband Alban (Alban Ukaj), who assist them in finding an apartment, albeit not fully disclosing necessary security deposits and rental costs. They are now left to seek employment on their own.

      Shaban and Hatixhe traverse various businesses in search of work, ultimately landing part-time cleaning jobs at Alban’s club, but it proves insufficient. Feeling shame for the impact on Alban’s family, Shaban is compelled to wait on the street, hoping to be selected for day labor. “Shame is a luxury,” Hatixhe remarks to her sister when discussing their survival strategy. As Hatixhe cares for Adelina’s ailing father, she realizes that her sister’s affluent lifestyle operates under strict financial limitations, suggesting that economic pressures affect everyone in different ways. Morina skillfully examines how the constant quest for money can lead to a psychological breaking point. Shaban, nearing his limit, begins to lash out both in reality and in his premonitions while confessing to Hatixhe. Kabashi and Kodheli deliver powerful performances, conveying a raw authenticity in their relentless struggle.

      One notably intriguing shot––and one of the few moments apart from the trials of the main characters––displays the capital’s statue of Bill Clinton. A revered figure in Kosovo, the former U.S. President is credited with aiding in the conclusion of the Kosovo War, which eventually led to the region’s independence nearly ten years later. Presented with a foreboding tone and accompanied by a sinister score, Morina seems to imply that global political and economic involvement can be a double-edged sword, thrusting Kosovo into a hypercapitalist race that many citizens find hard to navigate.

      Filmed with an ongoing sense of momentum by Janis Mazuch and edited with sharp intensity by Joëlle Alexis, Shame and Money intricately portrays the stifling and seemingly inescapable confines of class. The relentless barriers to financial stability––from unexpected bank fees to condescending gestures from employers offering a few extra incentives, along with Alban’s repeated requests for a CV that Shaban lacks the experience to provide––reflect a drama infused with profound humanity and acute insight into the harsh realities of a life where financial gain dictates every interaction.

      Shame and Money made its debut at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.