Elaha

Elaha is a 2023 German drama film directed by Milena Aboyan. Aboyan's first feature-length work, it was written by the director together with Constantin Hatz. It was produced by Kinescope Film.

The film tells the story of Elaha, a 22-year-old Kurdish-German young woman preparing for her wedding. Living in a conservative community where virginity is considered indispensable for brides, Elaha is caught between conforming to what is expected of her and defending her own freedom; financial constraints also push her to question these expectations. The narrative is built on the tension between family traditions, social pressure and the desire for individual autonomy.

Bayan Layla plays the lead role; the cast also includes names such as Derya Durmaz, Nazmi Kırık, Armin Wahedi, Cansu Leyan and Dennenesch Zoudé. The film had its world premiere in February 2023 in the Perspektive Deutsches Kino section of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, and its distribution in Germany was handled by Camino Filmverleih.