The Chaotic Life of Nada Kadic

The budgerigar flits through the flat and Nada dyes her hair while watching a music video; her small daughter plays around with liquids among the unwashed dishes whilst balancing dangerously on a kitchen stool. Then the fridge breaks down. Thankfully, the television still has a hypnotic effect. At first glance, this is all just the chaotic daily life of a young single mother. But Nada’s daughter Hava has been diagnosed with a form of autism – an additional challenge that leads to absurd situations with the authorities and the two-tier health system. No wonder Nada wants to escape Sarajevo. So the mother and daughter set off in a clapped out old Yugo for an adventure in the Bosnian countryside. The camera calms down in the foggy, rainy landscape. In this film, it takes on the role of an ally for the pair, who otherwise have no one. It both imbues the film with Hava’s intensity before coming to its senses again and maintaining an overview of Nada Kadic’s chaotic, yet undaunted life in her small apartment. (Berlinale)