Känäk mit Integrationshintergrund

Känäk mit Integrationshintergrund

The documentary “Känäk mit Integrationshintergrund” is a legacy passed down by our grandparents—the guest workers. A powerful and valuable heritage that deserves to be protected and preserved.

The central thread of the film is my own story. My personal journey back to my roots connects the lives and experiences of many Austro-Turks into one shared narrative. Because who else, if not we ourselves, can truly tell what became of the people who were once brought to Austria and Germany “only” as laborers?

Over the course of nearly two years, I interviewed Austrians of Turkish origin and accompanied them in their everyday lives. At the heart of the film lies my own search for identity, belonging, and origin.

A key part of the documentary is my journey to Turkey—to my past. After 30 years, I reunite with my father. For the first time, I meet my older half-sisters in person. These deeply intimate encounters create a space where personal biography and the collective history of the guest worker generation intertwine.

The film is further enriched by conversations with philosopher and historian Ljubomir Bratic, who places these personal stories within a broader social and historical context.

“We were guest workers. Who are we today?”
This question lies at the heart of the film.

Details

• Duration: approx. 75 minutes
• Shooting period: 2022 – 2025
• Shooting days: 35
• Language: German, Turkish
• Suptitles: German, English
• Genre: Dokumetary