Abstract:
Familiye is a captivating German film that portrays the tumultuous lives of the Tanis brothers in Berlin-Spandau-Neustadt. As Danyal returns from prison, his hopes for a better life clash with Miko’s gambling addiction, putting them in perilous situations. Their youngest brother, Muhammed, who has Down syndrome, suffers neglect amid the chaos. When an uninvited guest, Sina, enters their lives, tensions rise, leading to violent confrontations. Through adversity, the brothers ultimately learn the true meaning of family, with unexpected twists and a dramatic climax that reshapes their destiny.
Details:
The film is the story of the Tanis brothers in a borough of the German capital: Berlin-Spandau-Neustadt. The oldest of the three siblings, Danyal, is freshly released from a five-year prison sentence. He earned more than 50,000 € through dealing drugs, but his younger brother, Miko, spent all his brother’s earnings and assets on gambling in casinos and betting offices. Miko is aware of his gambling addiction but continues to borrow money, which he cannot pay back. This creates several life-threatening and violent altercations between him and the moneylenders. Muhammed, the youngest brother, has Down syndrome. Danyal’s incarceration puts Miko’s and Muhammed’s life at risk as he is not around to protect his brothers. Muhammed is supervised by a social worker, Mr. Mais, who also monitors Miko and Danyal. He helps Miko in filling out applications to avail of social welfare benefits. As Miko spirals down the gambling addiction, Muhammed suffers neglect. Mr. Mais’ supervisor at the social welfare office wants to relocate Muhammed to the Matthiasstift, a care home for people with disabilities. Muhammed enjoys Mr. Mais’ visits. They visit a local music store where Muhammed can play drums for an hour by paying 5 €; this is sponsored by Mr. Mais, who pays for it from his pocket.
After Danyal is released from prison, he wants to improve their lives and starts looking for jobs for Miko and himself. However, both failed in their attempts to find permanent employment. Miko is provoked by a customer at his job at a car wash and gets in a fight. Both Danyal and Miko are fired. While working at a friend’s bakery, Miko cannot resist gambling and partying and chooses it over doing his work. He prefers lazing in a corner to sleep off his drunkenness.
The brothers are dealing with unemployment and an uninvited guest in their apartment. Sina Morgenstern, a young woman who escaped from a psychiatric clinic, was offered refuge in their flat by Muhammed. Initially, Miko puts his foot down and does not want Sina to live with them, but as he sympathizes with her and learns of her money, he relents and lets her stay. One day, Sina loses control, attacks a seller, and bites him in the neck. Danyal and Miko get into a violent argument. Sina and Muhammed disappear, but Muhammed is assumed to be at Matthiasstift. Fortunately, Mr. Mais returns with Muhammed and urges Danyal and Miko to take better care of Muhammed and treat him like family. The financial stress forces Danyal to rejoin the drug business. Two former accomplices threaten Miko because of his debts, and Danyal wants to pay them off. Danyal’s former partners kidnap Muhammed for a ransom. As Danyal tries to free his brother, Muhammed escapes from his kidnapper’s car with a revolver and, while attempting to rescue Danyal, shoots his brother instead of the man who kidnapped him. Danyal survives the shot and returns to dealing drugs with his former partners, and Miko and Muhammed visit Sina in the hospital.
