Marija a young Ukrainian woman, cleans hotel rooms in Dortmund (Germany) but dream of owning her own hair salon. Determined to achieve that goal, she is willing to compromise her body, her social relationships and even her own feelings in the process.
- Göteborg Film Festival – Official Selection
- Berlin International Film Festival – Official Selection
- Premiers Plans Angers – Best Actor, Best Actress
- Mons Love International Film Festival – International Competition – Jury Prize, Best Actress
- Prague International Film Festival – Official Selection – Amnesty International Febio Fest Award
- Swiss Film Award – Nominated for Best Film
- Locarno Film Festival – International Competition – Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, Youth Jury Award
- Toronto Film Festival – Official Selection
- Busan International Film Festival – Official Selection
Born 1982 in Lucerne (Switzerland), Michael Koch studied from 2003–2008 at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne and also worked as an actor. During this time he made the following short films: "We Are The Faithful" (2005), "Poolside" (2006) and "Polar" (2008). All three films were very successful at international festivals and won numerous awards. Polar received a Special Mention at the 2009 Berlin International Film Festival and the German Camera Award as well as the German Short Film Award 2009. After his studies he worked as a director for the theater Kaserne Basel. Michael Koch celebrates the world premiere of his feature film debut "Marija" in International Competition at the Locarno Film Festival.
- Drii Winter – 2022
- Marija – 2016
- Polar – 2008 – Short film
- Beckenrand – 2006 – Short film
- Wir sind dir treu (We are the faithful) – 2005 – Documentary short film
Margarita Breitkreiz
Georg Friedrich
Olga Dinnikova
Sahin Eryilmaz
Screenwriter: Michael Koch, Juliane Grossheim
DOP: Bernhard Keller
Editor: Florian Riegel
Production Design : Petra Barchi
Costume Design: Peri De Braganca
Sound: Jean-Pierre Gerth
Producers: Claudia Steffen, Christoph Friedel
Production Company: Pandora Film
Coproducers: Christof Neracher, Tom Spiess
Co-production Companies: Hugofilm, Little Shark, Westdeutscher Rundfun, Arte, Schweizer Radio Und Fernsehen / SRG SSR
World Sales: Luxbox
