Kosovo movie wins Golden Gladiator in Durres festival

Handing the award to Kosovo director Isa Qosja, Durres Mayor Vangjush Dako described the film festival as an event which promotes the coastal city, its values, culture and rich archaeological heritage by bringing together cinema productions from the region and around the world.
TIRANA, Sept. 15 – “Three windows and a hanging,” a feature film by Kosovo director Isa Qosja has been awarded the top Golden Gladiator prize in the seventh edition of the Durres international film festival. The movie originally titled “Tri Dritare dhe nj롶arje” was appreciated for portraying the extreme drama and violence faced by Kosovo women during the armed conflict with Serbia in the late 1990s and the aspect of mercy and understanding.
“Because he took an extremely life situation as it was, that still exists in some places in the world and has shown us the face of mercy and understanding,” read the motivation by the international jury which this year was headed by English actor Leon Vitali.
“In a traditional village in Kosova, a year after the war when people were rebuilding their lives, female school teacher Lushe is driven by her inner conscience to give an interview to an international journalist, telling her that she and three other women from the village were raped by Serbian forces. As soon as the village men realize that it was Lushe who spoke to the journalist, they start a hate campaign against her and her little boy, asking her to leave the village. An insightful portrait of a Balkan village, of a patriarchal microcosm, and of its mayor who desperately wants to control the village life. A reflection of rituals which not only show gender inequality, but also the absence of freedom of expression within the male community,” says the festival about the movie.
Handing the award to Kosovo director Qosja, Durres Mayor Vangjush Dako described the film festival as an event which promotes the coastal city, its values, culture and rich archaeological heritage by bringing together cinema productions from the region and around the world.
The best director award went to Italian director Roberto Ando for his “Long Live Freedom” movie “because of the veracity that he brings to the cynicism of modern day politics and their attempts to manipulate the common people.”
Spain’s Nerea Barros grabbed the best actress prize for her lead role in “The Value of Time” “because of the grace and stillness of her acting that compels us to stay interested and focused on her.”
Turkish movie “The Butterfly’s Dream,” directed by famous Turkish filmmaker Yilmaz Erdogan, was given “Best Balkan Film” award at the film festival. The movie depicts 1940’s Turkey in the days of mobilisation during the Second World War.
Prominent Turkish actress Turkan Soray was also present at the film festival as the guest of honor and was given the Life Time Achievement award.
Soray, who starred in more than 150 films, has won Turkish people’s heart since the 1960’s and earned the nickname the “Sultan of Turkish cinema,” reports Turkey’s Anadolu Agency.
“Dawn,” a short film directed by Esat Fejza, a student of the Kosovo Arts Academy, was picked as the best short film.
Renowned director Viktor Gjika, famous for his movies under communism, was posthumously given the Career Award. Two of his films, the “Second November” and “General Gramophone” were screened in his honour in the Retrospective category.
After last year’s non-competitive and retrospective edition due to lack of financial support, this year’s seventh edition of the Durres international film festival returned in full gear with dozens of recent regional and international productions.
The festival which came at the end of tourist season in one of the country’s most popular summer destinations showcased movies for six consecutive days in its two traditional venues, the Roman amphitheatre and the local cultural centre.
The seventh edition of Durres International Film Festival was held from 9 to 14 September 2014, welcoming many foreign artists and filmmakers.
“The seventh edition focused on the European citizen from the political, social and historical view, sharing with us views and visions from directors both young and old. Confrontations of cultures, no matter how far they appear to be from each other, is one of the purposes of our festival,” organizers said.
A new structure was added to the Durr쳠International Film Summerfest, that of Durr쳠Art 2014 as a platform dedicated to the professionals of figurative arts and art lovers.
For seven consecutive days, painters themselves were placed in exquisite attractions of Durr쳠and their best works showcased in the local “Nikolet Vasia” public gallery.
In its 2011 edition, famous U.S director Francis Ford Coppola was the festival’s special guest. Awards in this festival include the Golden Gladiator to the best film, the best director, best actor and actress, the film critic award, best Balkan film, and the Golden Gladiator – Career Achievement.
The festival, which has become the largest annual film event, also serves to promote tourism in Durres, a city which boasts a 2,700-year-old history.