People everywhere are dreaming of getting out of their ghettos and starting anew in some place that offers hope for a better life. Erenik Beqiri’s ‘The Van’ is about generational differences regarding the question of immigration. But it is also a family drama. Two strong-willed main characters, father (played by Arben Bajraktaraj) and son Ben (played by Phénix Brossard), dream different dreams – one of building a business at home, and the other of a better life in England. While Ben is doing everything to get away from Albania, with England as the final destination on his mind, his father – a widowed construction worker, dreams to make it big in the construction business one day.

Ben’s concrete plan to fulfil his dream is to earn money through illegal boxing matches in a moving van, where only one winner can make it out alive.

The local gangsters profit from the misery of others. The rules are clear. Money is the only thing that matters, and money will decide the destinies of father and son. Curt conversations and threats delivered in chillingly friendly tones are part of the characters’ journey.

Ben’s psychological trauma requires no dialogue, we see it in his face. We follow every bruise and wound and we feel every blow.

‘The Van’ was shot in 5 days, and in a month, the film was ready.

The crew ended up having to work in the freezing cold, but the actors and crew were willing to go the extra mile.

‘The Van’ is about a family of two men who are ready to do anything for each other, but acting on their own respective impulses, they are actually doing a disservice to each other.