Western

Valeska Grisebach's meticulously researched feature film "Western" follows German workers on an EU construction site in Bulgaria. The harsh environment awakens the men's thirst for adventure, but also brings out their prejudices and mistrust of the local community. The language barriers exacerbate the situation and the construction site comes to a standstill. Meanwhile, the nearby village becomes the stage for a competitive struggle for recognition and favour. Grisebach grew up with western films and their strong images of masculinity in the 1970s. Her "Western" reinterprets the genre by taking a critical look at masculinity, labour migration, power hierarchies and longing.