In French cinemas from the 9th of September
A film inspired by the work of the celebrated Albanian writer Ismail Kadare, titled Ashes and Blood (in French “Cendres et Sang”) is showing in French cinemas since the 9th of September. The film is written and directed by the reputed French actress Fanny Ardant and was first projected in this year’s edition of the Festival de Cannes (see former Tirana Times issues).
French-language A nous Paris (7 to 13 September 2009) calls the film a “familial vengeance story out of time” and interviews the actress who has walked on her first step as a film director. “Writing the plot, I certainly put much of myself in the main character [exiled widow-mother in charge of three grown-up children played by Israelian actress Ronit Elkabetz]. But I also identified myself to the men characters of the film. ŠBiography-writing is not interesting. It is more interesting to sculpture character traits” – explains Fanny Ardant.
The story
Judith, exiled from her country since her husband’s murder a dozen of years ago, lives in Marseille (coastal city in the south of France) with her three grown-up children. The elder one, Isma쬬 is a 22 years old, livid and animated boy. His brother, Pashko, aged 20, is way more silent. Then, Mira, 15, is a cheerful young girl despite her deafness. After having refused to see her family for years, Judith is influenced by her children’s wishes and accepts an invitation to turn in the forgotten country for their cousin’s wedding. She goes there after eighteen years of absence. The family sets off to spend a summer in the old country, discovering their roots and their past. But Judith’s return revives old hatreds between rival clans. The presence of Judith and her sons, particularly the hotheaded and uncontrollable Pashko, breed even more animosity, reaching the inevitable climax in another death. A visceral vendetta between the families, which could have been avoided by the forthcoming wedding, explodes. Unrelentingly, the fire of violence is kindled, spilled blood calling blood.
Vengeance and human violence
The question of vengeance and human violence is one of the other questions to which Fanny Ardant replies that “Violence is one of the most burdensome things. It is a conversation with oneself. We ask ourselves: “How will I get rid of it?”. We can conceal or control violence but we cannot deny it”.
Asked whether she will shoot other films, Fanny Ardant, replies that the first film did not disgust her as it was a rich human adventure. “But I have kept untouched the pleasure of being an actress. I don’t believe that we do something instead of something else. If I direct a film again, it will begin with another story. I like to tell stories, but I don’t have messages to deliver” – says the star, which has been over her long career favorite actress of many reputed directors.
Albania’s place in the film
Though the film was shot in Romania, names of characters make a connecting point to Albania, the seat of numerous Kadare’s works, which is not depicted in the film but who can be guessed through numerous suggestions. Two of the children of Judith bear Albanian names, Pashko and Mira. Isma쬬 the name of their elder brother, though of semitic origin, is also a commonplace name in Albania. In short-cut releases of the film, Albanian-labeled clan names, like the Drins are also heard.
ISMAIL KADARE’S “FILMOGRAPHY”
Besides Ashes and Blood, two other films were inspired by writings of the celebrated Albanian author, Ismail Kadare. The complete “filmography” includes Ashes and Blood, (Cendres et Sang, 2009, France, Romania, Portugal, 1h45) directed by French actress Fanny Ardant (first film as director), Broken April, (Abril despeda袤o, 2001, Bresil, Switzerland, 1h31) directed by Walter Salles, and The General of the Dead Army (Il Generale dell’armata morte, 1983, Italy, France, 1h45) directed by Luciano Tovoli.
