This year’s special guest of the festival was Francis Ford Coppola, the famous U.S director who arrived in Durres on August 31 to attend the premieres of his two latest productions
Tirana Times
TIRANA, Aug. 31 – Turkey’s Semih Kaplanouglu’s Honey, which grabbed the Golden Bear Award at the 2010 Berlinale, opened the fourth edition of the Durres International Film Festival in an open air screening at the ancient Roman amphitheatre. The festival, held from August 27 to September 2, brought to Durres some of the best European and Balkan latest productions competing for the Golden Gladiator and many other prizes.
This year’s special guest of the festival was Francis Ford Coppola, the famous U.S director who arrived in Durres on August 31. The legendary American director, producer and screenwriter famous for the first two series of the Godfather, attended on Thursday the screening of two of his latest films “Youth Without Youth” and “Tetro” which were premiered for the Albanian public at the Aleksander Moisiu theatre and the local ancient Roman amphitheatre of Durres, the festival’s two venues.
Another special guest at the festival was Italian-Tunisian actress Claudio Cardinale who was honoured with a career award. Late Albania actor Vangjush Furxhi was also honoured with a career award on his tenth death anniversary.
The official competition consisted of 8 features selected among the most significant recent productions and 6 features at Balkan World Section.
“The legend of Flying Cyprian,” “Sonny Boy,” “Vincere” are some of the films competing in the Contemporary Vision category for the Golden Gladiotor Prize. Other movies in the Balkan World category include the “4 Black Suits,” “Being Italian With Signora Enrica,” “72 days” etc.
German director Jan Harlan, Sheila Johnson, the president of the International Federation of Film Critics FIPRESCI will also be present at the festival. Organizers say former Czech President Vaclav Havel film “Leaving” will compete in the Contemporary Vision category.
British film producer Nick Powell will be the president of the international jury while Czech Republic’s Jiri Menzel will head the jury announcing the best Balkan film.
This year’s special programme has been dedicated to Turkish cinema as an example of how a Balkan cinema can grow to reach the universal.
The Albanian cinema will be represented with two out of competition movies, the “In the Woods” movie by Albanian born US based Zenelaj sisters and the “Out of touch” movie by Andi Deliana, another Albanian director who lives in the U.S.
In last year’s edition, some 15 films competed in the festival’s two official categories, the Contemporary Visions and the Balkan World. The “Close encounters” category was dedicated to France.
The Last Days of Emma Blank,” a Netherlands-Belgian co-production, was awarded the Golden Gladiator prize.
The festival, which has become the largest annual film events, also serves to promote tourism in Durres, a city which boasts a 2700-year-old history. It is supported by the Culture Ministry, the National Cinematography Centre and Durres Municipality.
Prizes awarded in this festival include the Golden Gladiator to the best film, the best director, actor and actress, the film critic award, best Balkan film, and the Golden Gladiator – Career Achievement.
