Elaha


Bayan Leyla
Elaha by Milena Aboyan
DEU 2023, Perspektive Deutsches Kino
© Christopher Behrmann / Kinescope

Cansu Leyan, Beritan Balci, Bayan Layla
Elaha by Milena Aboyan
DEU 2023, Perspektive Deutsches Kino
© Christopher Behrmann / Kinescope

Elaha by Milena Aboyan
DEU 2023, Perspektive Deutsches Kino
© Christopher Behrmann / Kinescope

Elaha by Milena Aboyan
DEU 2023, Perspektive Deutsches Kino
© Kinescope
Performed with great commitment, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg graduate Milena Aboyan’s film revolves around a topic that is as personal as it is universal: sexual self-determination. Based on a nuanced screenplay, Aboyan illuminates all facets and stays very close to her complex and completely authentic protagonist.
With
- Bayan Layla (Elaha)
- Armin Wahedi (Nasim)
- Derya Dilber (Shilan)
- Derya Durmaz (Mother)
- Cansu Leyan (Berivan)
- Beritan Balci (Dilan)
- Slavko Popadić (Jusuf)
- Nazmi Kırık (Father)
- Réber Ibrahim (Sami)
- Homa Faghiri (Nihal)
- Hadnet Tesfai (Stella Zahaye)
Crew
Director | Milena Aboyan |
Screenplay | Milena Aboyan, Constantin Hatz |
Cinematography | Christopher Behrmann |
Editing | Elias Ben Engelhardt |
Sound | Perschya Chehrazi |
Music | Kilian Oser |
Sound Design | Perschya Chehrazi |
Production Design | Nora Balmer, Christina Mammes |
Costumes | Paulina Immig, Lara Scherpinski |
Make-Up | Milena Lazić, Faye Ryan |
Assistant Director | Sara Del Barba |
Production Manager | Maximilian Becht |
Producer | Matthias Greving |
Creative Producers | Janina Sara Hennemann, Emina Smajić |
Executive Producer | Kirsten Lukaczik |
Co-Producer | Igor Dovgal |
Co-Production |
Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg Ludwigsburg Essence Film SWR/Arte |
World Sales
Produced by
KINESCOPE FILM

Hadnet Tesfai, Bayan Layla
The actors at Kino International.
Elaha · Perspektive Deutsches Kino · Feb 18, 2023

Milena Aboyan
The director at the premiere.
Elaha · Perspektive Deutsches Kino · Feb 18, 2023

Cansu Leyan
The actor on the Red Carpet at Kino International.
Elaha · Perspektive Deutsches Kino · Feb 18, 2023

Bayan Layla, Jenny Schily, Jenni Zylka
The two actors talk about their craft with the section head.
Elaha · Dora oder Die sexuellen Neurosen unserer Eltern · Perspektive Deutsches Kino · Feb 20, 2023
Milena Aboyan

A Yazidi Kurd born in Armenia, she began studying acting in Germany in 2010 and was involved in several theatre productions. After receiving her acting degree, she changed her focus to writing and worked as an assistant dramaturge on an early-evening series on the German ARD TV channel. In 2015, she took up a degree in screenwriting at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. Elaha is her debut feature film as a director.
Filmography
2016 Die Vertreibung der Elefanten; short film 2017 Sonne scheint über August; short film · Was bleibt; short film 2018 Der Greteltrick; short film 2023 Elaha
Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2023