Berlin Alexanderplatz – Burhan Qurbani

The film Berlin Alexanderplatz (2020), directed by Burhan Qurbani, is a modern adaptation of the famous 1929 novel by Alfred Döblin. Unlike earlier versions of the story, the film moves the narrative into contemporary Berlin and changes the main character into an undocumented refugee from West Africa. This reinterpretation allows the film to explore modern themes such as migration, racism, social exclusion, and the struggle to belong in a new society.

The story follows Francis, played by Welket Bungué, who survives a dangerous journey across the Mediterranean and arrives in Germany hoping to start a new and honest life. However, as an undocumented migrant without work permits or legal protection, he faces many obstacles in Berlin. Although he promises himself to live a good life, the harsh realities of poverty and discrimination push him toward the city’s criminal underworld.

Francis becomes involved with Reinhold, a manipulative criminal played by Albrecht Schuch, who gradually draws him deeper into illegal activities. At the same time, Francis develops a relationship with Mieze, portrayed by Jella Haase, which briefly gives him hope for a different future. Through these relationships, the film shows the moral struggles of a man trying to maintain dignity in a hostile environment.

By transforming the original story into the experience of a modern refugee, Qurbani highlights the difficulties faced by migrants in contemporary Europe. The film portrays Berlin as a place of opportunity but also danger, where social inequality, racism, and economic pressure shape the lives of outsiders. With its dramatic visuals and epic length of over three hours, Berlin Alexanderplatz presents a powerful story about identity, survival, and the search for dignity in modern society.