I Plant My Hand In The Garden Edin Custo

Boris Hadžija and Hoda Taheri are not interested in being boxed in by the cinematic and narrative traditions of their respective cultures. Their feature debut is a vibrant exploration of reality, treating it as fluid as gender or sexuality.

In this compelling docudrama, the Serbian-Iranian duo play their own versions of themselves, weaving a story that is both deeply personal and profoundly expansive. As they navigate the excitement of getting married, a looming pregnancy hangs over the proceedings like a phantom. But their story is anything but traditional. Boris is a gay man, and Hoda, an Iranian refugee residing in Berlin, is a woman who lives openly and freely, sleeping with other women. This inherent unconventionality is just the opening chapter in their remarkable journey.

The film is set between the familiar landscapes of Serbia and Germany, capturing the delicate balance between the ceremony of the wedding and the complex, diasporic reality of newlywed life. As they explore their connection, the narrative exquisitely tunes itself to the undertones of visas and passport privilege.

The theme of borders becomes a central, fascinating element. Hoda’s mother, for instance, is utterly enamored with her daughter’s German passport—a metaphorical stargate into the rest of the world. This pursuit reveals a beautiful tension: while seeking freedom, she is simultaneously learning that Europe is far from the monolithic entity she once imagined. The story beautifully captures the exhilarating, sometimes bewildering, experience of finding a new sense of self within shifting geographical and cultural boundaries.

#Boris Hadžija#Docudrama#Gender#Hoda Taheri#Sexuality

By Harper Cole