New York Albanian Film Week 3rd Edition 2014-Java e Filmit Shqiptar në New York Edicioni i III-të 2014/
Presents:
AFW WEEK PROGRAM/ PROGRAMIN E JAVES
21/11/2014 – FRIDAY / E PREMTE
18:00 – Red Carpet, Black Tie Event.
19:00 – Opening Ceremony/ Ceremonia e hapjes / Introduction 30 min.
19:30 – She Comes in Spring / Antoneta Kastrati (short: 16 min, English)
Cast: Zoran Radanovich, Rebecca Rivera
Synopsis: A mysterious young woman visits a middle-aged father in a Serbian village, compelling him to uncover a dark secret buried in his wartime past.
– Gone Back / Ernest Meholli (feature: 80 min, English)
Cast: Astrit Alihajdaraj, Hanna Verboom, Blerim Destani, Karin Jessica Jansen, Refet Abazi
Synopsis: Gone Back is a psychological drama about an army deserter that returns home. He expects to find his life the way he left it, but he finds out that he is declared dead and everything has changed. He tries desperately to reconnect with his loved one. Slowly he becomes a shadow of his former self, struggling with the fact that he no longer exists for the world he used to be a part of.
Special screening – (non-competition)
-The Journey / Jack Dusi (short : 25 min, English)
Cast:Mike Dusi, Adriana Matoshi, Blerim Gjoci, Xhevat Limani
Synopsis: PETE, a soldier returning home after many years at war, meets a wise old man along the way. This chance encounter will alter the rest of his journey. Perhaps even the rest of his life as he comes into contact with other interesting characters.
FOLLOWED BY Q&A

22/11/2014 – SATURDAY / E SHTUNË
18:00 – Besa / Astrit Hykaj (short: 20 min, English Subtitles)
Cast: Rebeka Qena, Sokol Cahani, Eric Czuleger
Synopsis: BESA vividly portrays how individual Muslims, Christians and Jews of Balkan Peninsula were able to overcome their ethnic and religious hatred in an intense hardship time of World War II. In this film, Irene, a Jewish woman, manages to escape and survive from the Nazi prosecution.

– Fated / Blerim Gjoci (short comedy: 22 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Teuta Krasniqi, Bislim Mucaj, Blerim Gjoci
Synopsis: Based on a true story, happening on the mountains of Kosova. A very personal story about a pre-arranged marriage and its consequences on the lives of those involved.
– Gledi / Afrim Peposhi (short: 10 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Margent Caushi, Alesia Sherolli, Erjon Hodo, Saimir Zeneli
Synopsis: Gledi is a very strong girl and she destroys a criminal group. She sends an explosive package with a chairman for a gang but he does not die. The chairman of the gang decides to take revenge and sends two killers to kill Gledi, but she executes both.
– Broken/ Bashkim Myftari (short: 8 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Adelina Zekolli, Kushtrim Asllani
Synopsis: 15 after the Kosova war, Mali finds himself in front of a life decision moment. He’s been involved in numerous shady businesses together with people in high ranks of Kosovo’s Government. That moment has come, he is being arrested and is about to leave behind his pregnant wife with their first child but whether he will turn in his “friends” is something he fights against himself.
– My City Screams / Ibrahim Deari (short: 27 min, English subtitles)
Cast: May-Linda Kosumovic, Shkelqim Islami, Musa Isufi, Mirsad Abazi, Muzbajdin Qamili, Elmir Sejfullai, Ismail Kasumi, Sami Mustafi
Synopsis: It’s a movie that talks about the crime within a city, the screams are from the victims themselves. The city is lead by a gangster that gives money with usury, and on the other side we have love between a young couple that is obligated to leave the city for a better life.

FOLLOWED BY Q&A

20:00 – Ada / Spartak Peçani (feature: 90 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Ndricim Xhepa, Reshat Arbana, Elvira Diamanti, Iliriana Blakaj, Afrim Mucaj, Eshref Durmishi
Synopsis: A young girl sits at the interrogation table of a police station. Her hands are cuffed. There is still blood on her face. An inspector sits opposite her. He is recording her. She is charged with murder, firm proof; gun in hand, chambers empty, blood on the wall. There are many bodies recently removed from the street. There are two questions that need to be answered: why and how?

FOLLOWED BY Q&A

Documentary Competition
22:00 – Rruga Drejtë të Artës / Ariel Shaban (documentary: 15 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Mailinda Kelemendi,Toni Kuka
Synopsis: Life and Successes of judo world champion Majlinda Kelmendi .
– Djaloshi me Kitarë / Kolec Traboini (documentary: 36 min, Albanian)
Synopsis: Jeta e shkurtër e një djali të talentuar që kishte pasion të këndonte dhe t’i binte kitares. I mbetur jetim, me baba të pushkatuar do të rritej në Shtëpinë e Jetimëve. Pasionant në këngë dhe i revoltuar nga mungesa e lirisë ai përfundon në burg. E dërgojnë në Spaç ai bëhet udhëheqës i revoltës së Spaçit në maj 1973. Me shtypjen e revoltës ai dënohet me vdekje. Ishte vetëm 22 vjec. Këndoi për të fundit herë disa orë para se ta ekzekutonin. As atij dhe as babait të dy të pushkatuar nga diktatura nuk u gjendet varri. Një film tepër emocional dhe me fakte e deokumente reale.

23/11/2014 – SUNDAY / E DIELË
18:00 – Dear Nita / Alban Zogjani (short: 8 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Besart Sllamniku, Albulena Kryeziu
Synopsis: Arben is in his kitchen, he is reading the letter that he has received from the Ministry of Health, which says that they can fund only a small part of the total sum for recovery. Arben tries to continue his life like there is no need for this money, but he cannot face it all the way because it is the matter of healing of his wife.

– Good Time to Die / Senad Abdul (short: 17 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Senad Abduli, Naime Azi, Leart Abduli, Dea Sabriu, Adrian Kadri, Nejla Abduli
Synopsis: Without a doubt, one of the oldest occurrences of mankind is suicide, however, this film presents a different way of this negative phenomenon in developing societies. Meti, a male of around 50 years of age, married with three children, decides to commit suicide twice from the monotony in his life and his inability to care of his family. On the other hand, being fixated on the exact date, day, and hour, Meti leaves far away from his home, never to find exactness…. During his struggle, he searches for reasons to live.
– Cradle / Berat Safqiu (social drama: 12 min, Albanian)
Cast: Mensur Safqiu, Flutra Zymi, Ardit Reçica, Rebeka Qena, Osman Azemi, Vedat Bajrami, Rabije Kryeziu, Bardha Çelaj, Rozafa Çelaj, Mrika Sefa
Synopsis: Një burrë i cili ka tri vajza,në spitalin e gjinokologjisë është duke pritur që gruja e tij të lind, por kësaj rradhe ai pret që femija të jetëiI gjinisë mashkullore.Gruaja, pasi që të lind dhe merr vesh që fëmija është vajzë, ajo vendos që ta korruptojë njërën nga motrat medicinal që burrit të saj ti thotë se ka lindur djalë. Plot shatë vjet babi nuk e kupton gënjeshtrën sepse nëna e trajton fëmijën sikur të ishte djalë, po kur vie moment për ta bërë synet ai e merr vesh gjininë e vërtetë të fëmijës së ti. Nëna në këtë moment bën vetëvrasje kurse babit i humbet mendja duke e ngushëlluar veten me një djep.

– If / Florenc Papas (short: 17 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Armando Debrova, Irdit Kaso, Nevila Cani
Synopsis: Two brothers buy a pistol to take revenge for their father’s death. The big brother as a result is being chased by the police. The younger brother will be held from the police while waiting “for” the big brother.

– The hug / Lulzim Guhelli (short: 21min, English subtitles)
Cast: Aurita Agushi, Besnik Ktapi, Beni Mareni, Lirak Celaj, Rebeka Qena
Synopsis: After seven years in prison, a mother wants to meet her children and ask for forgiveness. Meanwhile, the older son has to make a lifetime decision: to forgive his mother for murdering his father, or to give up on getting back his missing mother’s love.

FOLLOWED BY Q&A

20:00 – The miserable / Genc Berisha (feature: 74 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Bislim Mucaj, Edona Reshitaj, Besart Sllamniku, May-Linda Kosumovic
Synopsis: A clash of two cultures, one primitive and the other exotic wild and cunning, but both of them with a violence and crime story. They face with each other in a house.
FOLLOWED BY Q&A
Documentary Competition
21:30 – The Triumph of Faith / Algert Skenderi (documentary: 40 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Halim Luta, Fehmi Luta
Synopsis: In Albania, year 1967, it happened what had never happened in any other country in the world: declaring religion illegal. Religious institutions were closed and all those who opposed the decision were persecuted. One of the people who has suffered persecution was Haji Hafiz Sabri Koci, one of the heads of Islam in Albania, who served 20 years in prison. In this historic event, we show his individual effort devoted to bring religion back to normal. This aspect of Albanian history will be shown through the analysis of his life.
– Lives / Arian Mustafa (documentary: 35 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Rrahim Goliqi – main character
Synopsis: A young boy, Rrahim, 15 years old, is the “star” of LIVES. He is from Kosovo’s Ashkali community, a disadvantaged and often discriminated against minority. Rrahim hears in school about life expectancy and realizes that this is different for different people. Rrahim wants to understand why he, his friends, his family will live shorter lives than their neighbors – for the stark reality is that Ashkalis along with Roma and Egyptians in Kosovo live on average at least 10 years shorter lives than the majority community…

24/11/2014 – MONDAY / E HËNË
18:00 – Pandora / Arlinda Morina (short: 25 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Agnesh Nokshiqi, Vlora Nikqi, Dugagjin Podrimaj.
Synopsis: A couple is trying to save what is left in their relationship, even though this is no longer senseless. When the untolds are said, the relationship vanishes.
– Balcony / Lendita Zeqiraj (short: 20 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Arben Bajraktaraj, Sevdai Radogoshi, Osman Ahmeti
Synopsis: Jeton, a 10-year-old boy is sitting on the edge of a balcony on the 4th floor. Neighbors and
passers-by, terrified by this situation, call the police and firefighters for help. But the situation quickly
becomes unmanageable.
– Stone and Water / Ervin Kotori (short: 17 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Guljem Kotori, Suela Konjari, Myzafer Ziflaj, Iva Causholli
Synopsis: Eni, a young autistic man, lives alone with his father. Suela enters into their life, through the father, but Eni doesn’t like it. The father dies accidentally, and Eni ends up alone with Suela at home, who makes all efforts to get closer to him. The last effort will get them closer, but not only the two of them…
– The Dinner / Suela Bako (short: 15 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Erjeta Cufaj, Romir Zalla, Eri Shuka, Kaltrin Zalla, Mehmet Xhelili, Ermonela Alikaj
Synopsis: Diana is 16 years old and she lives with her younger sister and their father. Their mother died a few years ago…One day their father invited for dinner at their house his brother and his wife accompanied by a young women…

– 1955 / Fisnik Zeqiri (short: 15 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Salaetin Bilal, Visar Etemi, Vlado Jovanovski, Daria Rizova, Adem Karaga, Dimitrija Doksevski, Blerim Dardhishta, Hajrullah Ramizi.
Synopsis: A love story between a Muslim and an Orthodox at the time of the communist regime, and the persecution of Albanians from the Balkan lands.

– Eskurzioni / Leotrim Idrizi (short: 16 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Ahmet Spahiu, Sylejman Lokaj, Selatin Ademi
Synopsis: Dy vëllezër në moshë të shtyrë nisen për në Gjermani tek djemtë e tyre. Për shkak se ata nuk kanë mundësi të marrjes së vizës, ata zgjedhin një rrugë tjetër për “arratisjen” e tyre! Mirëpo, siç thonë, rruga e shkurtër të del më e gjatë!

FOLLOWED BY Q&A

20:00– Ballkan Pazar /Edmond Budina (feature: 93 min, English subtitles), non-competition
Cast: Catherine Vikening, Veronica Gentli, Visar Vishka, Erand Sojli, Edmond Budina, Artan Islami, Luca Lionello.
Synopsis: Would you sell the bones of your father or grandfather, if this was a millionaire business? Jolie, French, and Orsola, Italian, her daughter, after the strange adventures of losing the bones of their father and grandfather, to a village in the South of Albania, discover maybe the most bizarre Bazaar of bones, with which the history of the Balkans can be bought and sold. Why not profit for themselves, by selling the bones of their father and grandfather in exchange for true love?

Documentary Competition
22:00 – Freedom Fighter/ Jackie Qafa (documentary: 9 min, English)
Cast: Simon Qafa
Synopsis: This documentary portrays the struggle of a man, Pjeter Qafa, who had sworn to never surrender to the communist regime of Albania. For years Pjeter Qafa fought against communism in the mountains of Albania trying to overthrow the regime of dictator Enver Hoxha.

FOLLOWED BY Q&A

– Orhan Pojani’s untold history / Sokol Pojani (documentary: 46 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Eduard Feka; Voices: Genc Ymeraj, Arbër Islami, Eduard Feka
Synopsis: Orhan Çerçiz Pojani, a monumental figure with essential contribution in the National Renaissance history, has been “covered” by the purposeful dust of oblivion. For over 50 years of a dictatorial system a complete presentation of the activities of this patriot has been prevented. He dedicated all his life to the National cause and the Albanian language.

25/11/2014 – TUESDAY / E MARTË
18:00 – Beyond / Franc Priska (short: 10 min, Albanian)
Cast: Suela Bako, Anila Muçaj, Arber Pepa
Synopsis: Një nënë së bashku me fëmijën janë përzënë nga shtëpia pasi burri i saj ka vdekur. Të vetëm në mes të katër rrugëve pa asnjë strehim ata nisin një udhëtim, i cili nuk dihet se ku do ti çojë.
– Vicked Game / Ermela Teli (short: 25 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Eglantina Cenomeri, Andrea Pepi, Eloise Le Petit, Taulant Zharri
Synopsis: Lies and gambling , confronts doubts and truth!
– Parking / Klajdi Papadhimitri (short: 20 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Ervin Bejleri
Synopsis: Marvin, a journalist at his 30s, finds himself in comic situations, surrounded by grotesque characters; such as the private bank guards, police officers, or “strong dudes” with big cars who park their vehicles everywhere and nobody says anything. He almost loses his mind and wonders if he is normal. Unfortunately nobody has the answer!

– Aksidenti / Genc Heta (short drama: 20 min, Albanian)
Cast: Arben Bajgora, Valmira Hoti, Baskim Ramadani, Bekim Morina
Synopsis: Një familje e varfër, që përbëhet nga dy prindërit Aliu dhe Fatimja dhe djali i tyre Dalmati, jetojnë në kushte të rënda ekonomike pasi që babai Aliu që kishte punuar në aeroport, ishte larguar nga puna për shkak të shprehisë së tij, meqë vonohej gjithmonë.
– Beyond the River / Sabir Kanaqi (short: 20 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Reshat Arbana, Arben Derhemi
Synopsis: One old man lives for a long time alone, near the river. One day his son comes from abroad to visit him. The longing and impossibility to meet his son, lead him to face with a dream.
– Zibidi / Nart Zeqiri (short: 12min, English subtitles)
Cast: Afrim Mucaj, Nol Besrisha, Gani Rrahmani
Synopsis: Three friends hanging around in a cafe, make plans on where to go. Empty coffee cups on the table show that they have been there for some time. Affected by the monotony they begin to tease each-other and the passersby.
– Plisi / Gjon Marku (animation: 9 min, Albanian)
Cast: Luan Jaha, Art Halimi, And Halimi
Synopsis: Gjyshi i rrefen fëmijëve për historinë e plistit.
20:00 – Out of Touch / Andi Deljana (feature: 91 min, English-Albanian), non-competition
Cast: Gentjan Zenelaj, Rozina Kostani Prendi, Esmeralda Stafa, Elidon Alika, Arban Përlala (G-Bani), Laert Vasili, Andi Deliana, Tatiana Cotiuba, Xhevdet Jashari, etj.
Synopsis: Two men, a former ministry chief and his business partner, have less than 48 hours to save their jobs and reputations. An absurd chain of events threatens to destroy everyone in this fast paced crime thriller.

Documentary Competition
22:00 – Who is Kosovar / Rexhep Myftari (documentary: 13 min, English subtitles)
Synopsis: Ever-since Kosovo has declared its independence in 2008, there has been an increase of interest in finding out what is the National Identity of Kosovo, is it Kosovar or is it Albanian. Does Kosovo have its own National Identity and if yes, who is Kosovar? Is a Serb from Kosovo equally a Kosovar same as an Albanian? These are some of the questions that even today beg for answers. The Documentary “Who is Kosovar” tries to give answers to the above questions from the perspective of youth of different ethnic communities in Kosovo.
– Waltz No 81 / Nora Marku (documentary: 7 min, English subtitles)
Synopsis: In 1981 Yugoslavia was still uncertain of how to move on from the death of its founder and leader Josip broz Tito. Within this uncertainty, Kosova’s majority Albanian population was growing ever more restless with its lesser status within the country. In March massive protests erupted in Prishtina, at first demanding higher standards within the university, then eventually demanding an independent republic. My mother was a high school music student at the time, and found herself swept up in the whirlwind of the protest and riots. This is her story.
– Skënderbeu në Shkup / Kastriot Avdyli (documentary: 25 min, Albanian)
Synopsis: Dokumentari përshkruan rrugën e Monumentit të Skënderbut të vendosur në Shkup, që nga gdhenda, rrugën nga Qaf Thana deri në Shkup, manifestimet e organizuara në Strugë, Kërqovë, Gostivar, Tetovë dhe në sheshin e Shkupit, si dhe Akademia Solemne në Teatrin Shtetëror në Shkup dhe momenti i inagurimit i përcjellur nga Kënga fituese e Ylberi 2006 “Skënderbeu në Shkup”.

26/11/2014 – WENESDAY / E MËRKURË
18:00 – City of black / Dibran Fylli (short: 20 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Kenan Gurgurofci, Qëndresa Loku
Synopsis: Valoni, një pjestar i Ushtrisë Çlirimtare të Kosovës, i kanë vrarë gruan dhe i kanë rrëmbyer vajzën e vogël, Fitoren. Pas luftës ai merr një telefonatë ku i tregojnë se vajzën e ka të gjallë.
– Building 54 / Jurgen Agushi (short: 10 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Dorian Shehu, Miltjaz Myrtezaj, Petro Bibollari, Aselda Terolli, Luiza Ruci, Rigers Cela
Synopsis: A bell that falls within a palace door, and the stench that falls in the palace becomes the cause of conflict between the inhabitants of the palace, until they decide to explode the door.
– The Last Sigh / Endi Hoxha (short: 4 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Margaret Qaushi, Ani Agushi
Synopsis: A lost love, the last sight, the last touch, last moment of separation …
– A Small Time / Goce Cvetanovski (short: 14 min, English subtitles), non-competition
Cast: Visar Vishka
Synopsis: Alex has two problems in his life: he is too shy to tell Maria he loves her, and he has an invisible man in his apartment.

Albanian Classics – (non-competition)
19:00 – Ballë për ballë / Kujtim Cashku dhe Piro Milkani (feature: 118 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Bujar Lako, Mevlan Shanaj, Agim Shuke, Thimi Filipi
Synopsis: Ballë për ballë filmi shqiptar me Besnik Bermema i cili ishte përkthyes në konferencën e partive komuniste të mbajtur në Moskë në vitin 1961. Ai ishte dëshmitar i thyerjes më të madhe midis dy partive komuniste që i përkisnin respektivisht një kombi të madh dhe një kombi të vogël. Ngjarjet dramatike në konfliktin ushtarak ndodhin në një bazë detare në territorin Shqiptar në Pashaliman të cilën Sovjetikët nuk arrtitën t’a përvetësonin.

Documentary Competition
22:00 – Between Two Worlds/ Sabedin Aliu (documentary: 25 min, English subtitles)
Synopsis: Traditions, distance, migration, language, and dilemmas to return to the homeland, will make up the mosaic of the documentary film, “Between Two Worlds” which will present a concrete reality with the means of expression of the film.

– Orientimi në Karrierë / Fitim Adili (documentary: 31 min, Albanian)
Synopsis: How people should choose and orient their careers.

27/11/2014 – THURSDAY / E ENJTE
Documentary Competition
18:00 – Margaria / Kujtim Gjonaj (documentary: 53 min, English subtitles)
Cast: Margarita Xhepa
Synopsis: An artistic experience on the life and work of the great Albanian artist Margarita Xhepa.

19:00 – Enigma / Gazmend Izairi (feature: 44 min, Albanian), non-competition
Cast: Elmedina Ameti, Jetmir Arifi, Florim Memedi, Durim Neziri, Flamur Hoti, Genc Lleshi
Synopsis: Një familje e posakrijuar jeton e lumtur. Lumturia e saj rritet akoma më tepër kur merr lajmin se do t’u shtohet një antar i ri. Shumë shpejt fati ia kthen shpinën kësaj familje Vlera para se të lindë djalin e humbën burrin, por këtë e kupton pas lindjes. Bashkë me lajmin e vdekjes…

Special screening – (non-competition)
21:00 – La Nave Dolce / Daniele Vicari (documentary: 90 min, Engl. Subtitles)
Cast: Ervis Alia, Giuseppe Belviso, Maria Brescia, Robert Budina, Eduard Cota, Fortunata Dell’Orzo, Kledi Kadiu, Eva Karafili, Vito Leccese, Ali Margjeka, Halim Malici, etc.
Synopsis: On August 8, 1991 about 20,000 Albanians arrive in Bari, Italy looking for a better life. This is their story.

Closing Night