SHIRIN’S WEDDING

Shirin's Wedding by Helma Sanders-Brahms shows the fate of a "stranger" in the "foreign lands" warts and all. Shirin is a young Turkish woman waiting for the return of the man whom she loves and to whom she was promised: Mahmut. Despite the promise, she is married to her parents' estate manager. She flees to unknown Germany, to Cologne, the city where Mahmut works. Shirin herself also finds work and a place to stay. But when she loses the job and thus her residence permit, her situation changes dramatically. In her desperation, she meets Aida, a seemingly helpful stranger.

The film triggered heated discussions that even reached the Turkish parliament and prompted a protest rally by Turkish nationalists against the WDR.