TIRANA, July 2 – Five Albanian documentaries and short films are competing in Dokufest, Kosovo’s largest film event held in the historic town of Prizren. Albania is represented in the 11th edition of this festival, scheduled for July 7 to 15 with Gentian Koci with his “Not a carwash” documentary featuring an attempt to close down a film school in Tirana. “Trying to save a film school the question arises – Just what role should the state have in nurturing – or destroying – a nation’s cultural heart?”
The “Meaning of Life,” directed by Jani and Irida Zhonga competes in the international shorts. The film transports the human’s continuous search for the meaning of life, in an ostensibly inanimate object, a key.
Three other Albanian short films are competing in the National Competition category. Gledis Bica’s “Baba” (Father) movie tells the story of Klodi who lives with his father in exile. His life becomes complicated when his father is found dead in his home.
“Dita e fundit e Loro Shestanit” (The last day of Loro Shestani), a short film directed by Sokol Keraj showcases the Albanian transition which has compelled Loro Shestani to give up.”
“Matane Lumit” (Beyond the River) a short film by Sabir Kanaqi tells the story of how one old man lives for a long time alone, near the river with a destroyed old footbridge.
Apart from the Albanian directors, the festival will also feature Germany-based, Albanian singer Eda Zari who will be performing with her band in Prizren on July 13. Eda Zari’s music blurs the lines between traditional singing styles of the Balkans and other genres, with a very strong jazzy edge.
Dokufest organizers were in Tirana this week unveiling the festival’s programme. The festival’s cooperation with the Albanian Central Film Archive will make possible the screening of “Fortuna” movie, an Albanian-Russian co-production in 1959.
The Festival will open on July 7 with the screening of award winning film “5 Broken Cameras” by Emad Bornat and Guy Davidi at the Lumbardhi Open Air Theatre. Now in its 11th edition the festival will present more than 150 films and a slate of live music acts under its DokuNight music strand. Films are screened twice a day in three open air cinemas as well as in two regular cinemas. Except for its films, the festival is also well-known for lively nights after the screening. Various events happen within the scope of the festival: workshops, DokuPhoto exhibitions, festival camping, concerts, which altogether turn the city into a charming place to be.
Turkish photographer Kamil Firat will open DokuPhoto with the exhibition of his recent work titled JR featuring photographs of children oil wrestlers in Turkey whilst German photographer Jutta Benzenberg will hold a talk focusing on her 20 year experience of working in Albania.
Poland is this year’s country in focus and in that occasion 11 films will be screened while the quality of Mexican documentaries will be highlighted through a special selection compiled in collaboration with Ambulante festival from Mexico City.
Tribute to Bekim Fehmiu
In the memory of the late actor Bekim Fehmiu, DokUFest in collaboration with Associazione Trentino con i Balcani – ATB will present the exhibition Bekim Fehmiu – “Lost Treasure in silence”. The exhibition will open on Friday July 6th 19:00 hrs, at the newly built cultural center Europa Complex in Prizren, and will run until July 15.
‘Bekim Fehmiu – Lost treasure in silence’ contains magnificent scenery of his acting career, and is also evidence of ethical, intellectual and humanitarian resistance of Fehmiu, who overcome national and cultural borders. Different interviews will be presented in the exhibition, parts of his book “Blistavo i Straۮo” (Glamour and Horrors), pictures, film posters, also audio and video recordings.
