Dielli | The Sun

Albanian American Newspaper Devoted to the Intellectual and Cultural Advancement of the Albanians in America | Since 1909

Interview with the Talented Actor and Director Xhustin Kristian

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By Nora Kalaja/

Critically acclaimed director Xhustin Kristian when he is behind the lens, he creates masterpieces. After a prominent film career in Europe, he is continuing his successful journey in Untied States. His notable works include: “Lost Souls”, where he debuted as film director, and the popular TV Series “The double story” (Një dopio histori). 

Xhustin has played lead theater roles in “The Promise” and “Uraganet e Lirisë”.  He is expected to appear in a western film “Bastard” (award winning screenplay) directed and written by Tony Schweikle. 

As an incredible actor, Xhustin Krisitan makes movies more interesting thanks to his charm, delivery, and transformative ability to embody each character. 

Tell us a little about yourself, growing up and your passion. 

Xhustin Kristian: I was born and raised in Korca, a city of Albania, till 11 years old when my family moved to the capital, Tirana. Back then the biggest entertainment we had as kids was the TV watching cartoons. In my case, I would watch them daily and then perform them in front of the mirror. I believe the passion for acting was born within me.  In the following years, this passion became stronger till the point that I got completely immersed in all aspects of performance. 

What are you currently working on? 

Xhustin Kristian: It has been a really tough year because of Covid, so for now I am just trying to gain energy and creativity, in the meantime I am waiting for the next project, the feature film: “Bastard”.  

Tell us a little bit more about this film, what is it about, who else are you working with, and who is the director?  

Xhustin Kristian: The director is Tony Schweikle. Because of Covid-19, the project is making slow progress. “Bastard,” an award-winning screenplay, has been in 18 festivals so far such as: Montreal Independent Film Festival (semi-finalist), Venice Film Festival, NYC Tri-State Intl. Film Festival, Beverly Hills Film Festival (Finalist). I am looking forward to start after a long pause.

What is the most challenging role you have played and why?

Xhustin Kristian: I would definitely say Franc from drama “Promise.” During the show this character experiences a lot of emotional turmoil.  The difficulty comes in as one has to try and convey internal suffering to an audience and at the same time not show those feelings in an expressive way.

And the most fun one? 

Xhustin Kristian: The Voodoo drummer, from the movie “Sacrificial” was the funniest one.  There were a lot of improvisational opportunities to make the character silly.  Also, being amongst friends helps to let your guard down and have fun with the character.    

How has Covid influenced the film industry this year? What are some of the challenges and difficulties you have faced during the pandemic? 

Xhustin Kristian: Covid made a big impact on the global economy this year, and there are more setbacks that we will experience.  The film industry is one of the most impacted ones. A lot of projects have been either canceled or postponed. Finding work during the pandemic was really hard. Also working on these special conditions tend to reduce the efficiency during the performance. The art itself is expression and interaction, in one form or another, but it needs to be shown to the public and under “social distance” rules this mission became almost impossible.   

What television shows or show would you love most to be on?

Xhustin Kristian: Those ones that makes me travel through time, either back in the history or into the future. I always enjoyed the experience of working in a set far from reality.

If you weren’t acting what would you be doing?

Xhustin Kristian: Dancing, I guess. I can’t stay away of performances. I love music so dancing comes naturally to me. Rather than that anything related with traveling would be perfect. Even though I am flexible in many aspects of life, I have realized that I don’t do well with routine and closed spaces for a prolonged amount of time.

What’s your goal for this coming year?

Xhustin Kristian: I recently moved to US so for this coming year I would like to get in the industry as much as I can. The first steps are always the most difficult ones so I will do my best to have a good start.

What is your advice for aspiring actors? 

Xhustin Kristian: Believe in yourself and your passion.  Work for it tirelessly, never give up, and one day all that you wished to achieve will be realized. 

Interview with Notable Writer and Director Andamion Murataj …

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By Nora Kalaja/

Andamion Murataj is a prominent film writer and director, whose films have entertained, thrilled and enlightened for the past decade many movie fans in Europe and United States. He is considered as one of the brilliant filmmakers who is leading the way in the art of cinema. A mastermind with uncompromising cinematic vision and compelling storytelling. 

Andamion Murataj received The Silver Bear for the Best Screenplay at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival (2011) for the feature film “The Forgiveness of Blood” shared with Joshua Marston. His movies exert a powerful influence on mainstream cinema, that sparks intellectual dialogue about film-history and cinematography. 

Andamion Murataj is a founder and director of Balkan Film Market and Albascript Workshops. He is also a member of international jury in many festivals across Europe. 

Andamion holds an MFA in Film and Electronic Media from American University in Washington DC. 

(GERMANY OUT) Preisträger Joshua Marston (li.) und Adamion Murataj mit dem Silbernen Bären (Bestes Drehbuch) für den Film -THE FORGIVENESS OF BLOOD- beim RadioEins Berlinale Nighttalk am Rande der 61. Internationalen Filmfestspiele in Berlin (Photo by snapshot-photography/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Are you working on anything new?

Andamion Murataj: When I come to think of it, everything I am working at the moment it is naturally “new”. There are not only new stories or new projects that I am involve or trying to develop, but also are new angles or/and new takes, even on certain shelfed project that sometimes I happen to return and undust them. Times change, we change, hence new ideas and perspectives on certain things sometime happen to force us to get back to old projects changes and figure out new approaches.

What other projects do you have coming up?

Andamion Murataj: There are a few things piled up on top of the projects that couldn’t happen because of Covid. So as everywhere else, despite the lack of funding, 2021 is expected to have a boom of projects that are ripped for production. And, on top of those, there are also a certain stories and characters inspired from recent events, that I am developing right now, that will keep me busy for some time.   

From a storytelling perspective, has that advancement in technology resulted in better movies?

Andamion Murataj: Generally speaking, the advancement in anything, naturally has an impact and ultimately pushes everything forward, although the impact some time is not immediate. I believe there is a period of confusion, as it is of incubation and maturation. For one thing the technological advancement not only have tremendously democratized the media by giving the opportunity to express themselves on the palm of the hand to millions of content creators, but also have facilitated the tools and process of achieving great things with minimal effort. Still, so far these are not enough to result in better storytelling. Having said that I believe that eventually in the near future the development on the field of Artificial Intelligence will most likely revolutionize storytelling at its core and will have a tremendous impact in creativity as well as consuming of content.

What’s the mark of a good story for you?

Andamion Murataj: A good story moves you. It does not always please you, but it most definitely disturbs your peace, compelling you to react emotionally and rationally in more than one way.

What is your recipe when writing your movie characters?

Andamion Murataj: It would have been nice to have one that we all can follow, but unfortunately there are no such recipes, as there is no recipe on how to paint a good painting or a line of music… Often it takes the painstaking work of a surgeon to go under the skin of the character and let him be and reveal himself. Easier said than done!

What are some of your recent film projects?

Andamion Murataj: There are a handful projects that I am involved at the moment in various stages of development. One of these, “Man of the House” is in the advanced stage funding competition and hopefully going into production this year, and some other projects are on the earlier stages. It remains to be seen in which one of these I will be working for the long haul.

What does success look like to you these days?

Andamion Murataj: Well, I wouldn’t know that. I can only assume that for as long as you get to do what you love and love what you do, you are well on the path of living a pretty successful life, in a very personal sense. As with every path, there are ups and downs, twists and turns, but despite the troubles, if you still have the guts to keep the course, I think you are pretty set.

Has Covid-19 changed your plans in filmmaking this year? Has that been challenging for you?

Andamion Murataj: It would be interesting to find someone in the film business (or elsewhere for that matter) that can heartedly say that pandemic did not affect his plans. Film, being first and foremost a collective undertaking, depending in many, many, external factors is probably hit the hardest. The abrupt interruption of traditional theatrical releases, combined with the boom of online content platforms, is causing a “perfect storm” in transforming the film business as we know it. But, in the end of the day, telling stories will survive the changing nature of the business, and despite of the formats of the future, we will always need arts being painting music, films and literature… So, better than trying to figure out how to outsmart the currents, I would rather keep doing what I feel doing and try to do it best way I can.

What role have film festivals played in your life so far? How do you get the most out of them?

Andamion Murataj: After making a good film, opening to a good festival is of prime importance for the independent cinema. Attending a good festival doesn’t make your film better, but not attending, it surely makes it much harder to breakthrough. This is all more crucial for films coming from low output countries and especially critical for films in the languages that are not broadly spoken.

Nowadays festivals are for most part are attached to some sort of a film market and there is nothing better for publicity, sales and expanding network of collaborators. Festivals are not just the place for competition and accolades, but rather an awesome opportunity for launching new potential partnerships. 

What tips would you give to beginner filmmakers? 

Andamion Murataj: By now film world have seen about everything imaginable and this is discouraging. The only thing they have seen yet is YOU. And there is hope, so, find your voice and sound loud and clear. It might take time and work, but eventually you are not gonna be screaming in the desert… More than some “hope”, the odds are real that if you really find your voice and really have something to state, you will be heard. 

What does the future of film look like?

Andamion Murataj: The future feels pretty much like the past. In past twenty years the business has changed so rapidly, and is only propelling forward… Whatever looks advanced nowadays, it will be pretty obsolete in next twenty years. My first digital camera investment is no match for the quality of the camera of a mediocre mobile phone today. This is a losing battle that we always belong in the ancient world. What will surpass us, are not the formats, but rather the stories of our era. We will still care for the Ulises and his journey back home for a few thousand years to come…

What are your plans for the future?

Andamion Murataj: Surviving the pandemic for sure, not only in good health, but most importantly in good spirit. As every major disaster, this one too, will leave its scar on us. But, in the darkest hour flourishes the greatness of human spirit, and some of among us, through sacrifices or achievements will lead the way to a better future – such vital characters can’t go by unnoticed by film literature and other works of art. I am sure such stories and characters will also leave their mark….

Interview with Film Director and Producer Berat Asani

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Interviewed By Nora Kalaja /

When was your debut as a film director? Can you tell us more about your debut film? 

Berat Asani: The first artistic film I made as a director, is the film “Follower”, which has been made on my studying period at the academy of arts during my first year of study. I consider it as the first film, since in this film I had the opportunity to work with a formed team of colleagues where for most of them it was also the debut film. The strength, sincerity and desire for work were great for each of them. It was the first time I tried myself in front of the audience and the emotions and reactions of the viewers made me fall in love with this profession and increased my desire to create more films that would create feelings and experience for a wider audience.

What is your recent film “Mother’s Love” about? 

Berat Asani: My latest movie “Mother’s Love” is about Besiana’s life which is plunged into turmoil after she discovers her son’s Bardh dark secrets, and faces a dilemma that will challenge her love and decision as a mother.

This film was realized in 2018 as a school project which was realized during my master studies at the Film Institute Ohrid Film Academy. To write this film I collaborated with another screenwriter like co-writer Cathal McCall and it is worth to mention that the film was made by an international team, as was the academy itself. I also had the great support of professional actors from Kosovo, such as as Ilire Vinca, Andi Bajgora, Anisa Ismaili and Sara Osmani, which was her debut in an art film. This film has been selected at the film festival in LA and I hope that that the festival journey continues after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tell us a bit about the other films you’ve made.

Berat Asani: In terms of other films I made as a Director, I would like to mention “Oops” and “The Unknown”, which have been successful at various international festivals. I had the opportunity to learn many things during pre and post production. 

“The Unknown” is the film with which I graduated from the University of Tetova at the Faculty of Arts as a Director with a degree in Film and TV. This film is about a young girl who falls in love with her neighbour who lives in the apartment in front of her building. She follows him through a small hand-held camera. Her family wants her to marry another boy. Everything changes after the girl ends up in the neighbour’s apartment, while her mother watches her from the small camera, where she disturbs this family’s world.

Where as with the “Oops” film I completed the first academic year for my master’s degree in FIOFA. Here I had a different experience, because it was my first film where I did not participate in the process of writing the screenplay. The screenplay was written by screenwriter Blagica Sekuloska. I made the film in Macedonian with a cast of Macedonian actors, and the work process was very special.  

“Oops” is about Nikola who is a little genius that makes experiments around home. In New Year’s Eve he learns that his parents are again going to celebrate New Year at another place, and will not be at home. Nikola feels like he must do everything to make them stay with him at home.

As a Producer, how involved in the writing of a project do you get? Are you more involved in the initial development?

Berat Asani: So far I have not been a screenwriter for someone else’s project even though I would have liked to. As a director I have a lot of respect for screenwriters. In small countries, it often happens that Producers are included in the scenario due to limited conditions and opportunities for the realization of the project.

Can you tell us about your involvement with the Tetova International Film Festival? 

Berat Asani: During the time when I decided to get acquainted with film and I was looking for the academy of arts, with a group of friends we heard that a film festival was being held in Tetovo. There we got in touch with the founder of the festival, where we were informed in more details. I expressed interest to contribute to the organizational participation in voluntary form in the first edition. Then every year I had the great desire to contribute and challenge myself in all the functions of the organizational and executive form of the festival until the board made a decision that I should be in charge of the chairman of the festival in the 7th edition (of which I continue until now). I am committed to growing the festival each year, along with contributing to cultural growth and creating a tradition for our city. 

What do you have planned for this year for the festival? 

Berat Asani: Initially, the festival has its journey and this year we are very happy to realize the 10th (jubilee) edition. Therefore, it is a more special edition, I would not have wanted to say anything about the planning, but I wish that this edition finds better opportunities to bring back to more massive numbers of audience in cinemas and less to be involved in hybrid form or online. Soon we will open the application where filmmakers will have the opportunity to apply with their films.

What do you consider as your career accomplishments? 

Berat Asani: As a career achievement so far I would have considered the success of the festival, for which achievement are enjoyed by many other members. As a filmmaker, I think the latest film “Mother’s Love” was the best film in my opinion, but I think it takes a lot of work to declare success as an Author.

How do you see your role as a filmmaker? 

Berat Asani: My role as a filmmaker is to make as many feature films as possible. I feel the necessity to tell a story, a need which is present in all human beings, but the desire to tell it in visual form is my gift and chosen way where this makes the difference. We are often in situations where through the film we want to change a perception or give a message to the audience, where often there are generalized messages or experiences which are shared and re-experienced in that certain duration to achieve a conscious awareness, uplift and culture in a higher mass. 

Therefore, I am often not sure if I will ever be able to change the world through film, but that film will change me is more than certain.

Do filmmakers have any responsibility to culture? What message do you want to convey with your films? 

Berat Asani: Undoubtedly filmmakers have a lot of responsibility for culture, as film is a very powerful tool to present ideologies, events, moral and social norms to a wide audience, which through the emotions created by the authors, achieves an impact and real experience that the audience can carry in everyday life as a personal experience. The most important part for me is the way and the feeling a film can be experienced, along with its message or the moral of the story. 

What other hobbies do you have? 

Berat Asani: One of my hobbies and passions is skateboarding which I have been practicing for 11 years now and also since we are lucky enough to have Kodra e Diellit (Sunny Hill) as a Ski Centre in Tetovo, I have also practiced Snowboarding. During the summer I do swimming and Paddle boarding. As a lifestyle hobby I practice Bodybuilding. I like hiking a lot because I like nature as a source of ideas and peace of mind.

What’s next?

Berat Asani: As I mentioned above about the festival we are working on the realization of this edition, I am also engaged in two short films as screenwriter and director where we plan to start soon in the production phase, being in a pandemic situation and I wish Covid-19 pandemic to get past and to enable normal functioning for everyone!

Halil Gashi, Las Vegas Dancer wins international acclaim

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By Nora Kalaja, New York/

Halil Gashi is recognized as one of the best entertainers world wide. Halil contributed to American culture with his works as a choreographer/dancer, praised by critics all over the world and awarded with many top prizes. His contribution to dance, music, theatre, performing and painting has defined American culture elements of arts, with his European influences. “Be free to move the way you feel” and “Art has no limit” is his teaching philosophy in his workshops. As dance/music/ art teacher Halil Gashi hopes to inspire a life in the arts and inspire the young generation to be active.

“I hope that my students and youth in general have a lifelong appreciation for arts, whether it is dancing, singing, acting or performing. Be active and be free. Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams!” said Halil Gashi.

Halil Gashi is one of the early pioneers of Hip Hop Theatre in Europe. He has immersed himself as the top dancer/actor in the industry with lead performances in Germany, UK and France. Halil has performed in prestigious shows and concerts including MTV Awards, Black Eyed Peas, Run DMC, Kylie Minogue, Sugarhill Gang and Beat Nutz. He has been seen in numerous commercials and has walked the most glamorous fashion runway shows for Versace, Gucci, Adidas and Levi. Recently, Halil Gashi walked the runway of Adidas as a fashion model as well as dancer at the prominent Global Brand Conference (GDC) in Germany, in April 2013.

Halil Gashi is a hip hop dancer extraordinaire. He established himself as one of the best performers at the prestigious Cirque Du Soleil’s LOVE show in Las Vegas. For nearly four years Halil Gashi entertained thousands of audiences with his lead solo performance.

“I enjoy being on stage. You channel positive energy with the audience and see how the performance makes them feel sad or happy. The solo act that I did for Cirque du Soleil was a big challenge. You have to keep the audience entertained for five minutes and not loose them until the last moment, so they can feel the way I feel. It was a piece about love, emotion, finding yourself and finding love. The act is not all happy and fun, but also shows that you can get hurt. So it was a big challenge to be able to present that to thousands of people daily, on a 360 stage, where you can’t hide anything. What you do, your every move will be seen from all sides. So as an entertainer I had to overcome these challenges in my choreography,” added Halil Gashi.

Halil Gashi is an internationally acclaimed artist. Whether it is dancing, acting, performing, choreographing or modeling, he is considered as a versatile and original creator/artist working today. He has won several awards in dance and modeling, including Best Dancer and Best Body Las Vegas 2012 (www.halilgashi.com ).

Halil Gashi has been honored by the Mayor of Las Vegas and has entertained Hollywood and International stars with his performance, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Donald Trump, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Dennis Hopper, Mel B, Jennifer Love, David Duchovny, Kylie Minogue, Steve Carell, Jamel Debbouze, Paul McCartney, Jean Dujardin, Tim Burton, Steve Buscemi and many others.

Halil Gashi is a highly innovative and multidisciplinary artist with inspiration coming not only from dance but also from film. Halil Gashi debut in USA and cinemas world wide in the 3D movie ‘Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away’. The film is written and directed by Academy Award winner, Andrew Adamson and Golden Globe winner of Best Director, James Cameron.

 

Kastriot Preteni (Kas) lançon videoklipin “Product of Society”

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Nga Nora Kalaja, New York/Prishtinë/

Karriera e artistit Kastriot Preteni me pseudonimin KAS ka evoluar që nga fillimet e rinisë së tij në Kosovë, kur ai ishte 11 vjeç që u mor me muzikë e deri më sot në Norvegji, ku është evidente pjekuria në lirikat, stilin e muzikës dhe kreativitet. Videografia e artistit përfshin hitet “Imma Get My Piece”, filmuar në Paris dhe “Till Death Do Us Part”, që brenda një kohë të shkurtër arritën 65,000 shikime në youtube.

Në 4 Janar 2013 Kas laçoi videolipin e ri “Product of Society” e cila ka marrë pëlqim nga fansat dhe po bie në sy dhe nga artistë të tjerë të njohur. (Shiko videoklipin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX9OZ9KHCzA).

“Kam marrë shumë përgjigje pozitive nga publiku, fansa dhe artistë për këngën dhe videoklipin e ri. Me 13/14 shkurt jam ftuar në emisionin “Relax Show” në Kosovë, ku do jem prezent dhe do festoj 5 vjetorin e pavarësisë të mëmëdheut tim,” tha KAS.

Realizimi i videoklipit u krye nën drejtimin e Ufollow Movement dhe KAS, ku bien në sy koncepti origjinal i artistit si dhe maskat e veshura në klip. Inçizimet filluan në nëntor 2012 dhe përfunduan një muaj më pas.

“Porosita të gjitha pajisjet e duhura dhe nevojitshme për projektin, duke përfshirë dhe 40 maska nga Kina, që i kam sponsorizuar vetë. Bllokuam një rrugë komplet për të realizuar një skenë kryesore që përbënte 50 veta plus aktorë ekstra. Videoklipi u lançua me 4 janar dhe fansat mund t’a blejnë këngën në iTunes, Spotify and YouTube,” shtoi artisti KAS.

Mesazhi pas këngës “Product of Society” (Produkt i Shoqërisë) është që njeriu duhet t’i bëjë vetë zgjedhjet në jetë dhe jo të ndjekë trende pa i kuptuar mirë arsyet. Maska simbolizon personin e influencuar nga shoqëria që humb vetveten nën influencën e shoqërisë duke jetuar një gënjeshtër.

“Kënga shpreh faktin që ne të gjithë jemi produkt i shoqërisë, në aspektin pozitiv dhe negativ. Secili nga ne mendon se duhet të veprojmë, mendojmë dhe ndejmë në një mënyrë specifike, për t’iu përshtatur rrethanës. Për këtë arsye secili person në video ka veshur një maskë. Jetojmë në një botë të frikshme, prandaj dhe tema e videos është horror. Shoqëria ka vendosur kërkesa për njeriun, që ndikon në zgjedhjet e tij. Në teori, jemi të lirë të marrim vetë veprimet tona, zakonisht ne marrim vendime të lehta. Prandaj dhe shoqëria ka influencë në zgjedhjet tona. Për këtë arsye ne jemi produkt i shoqërisë. Shoqëria na ka bërë ato që jemi. Mesazhi pas kësaj kënge është që duhet të mendojmë jashtë normës, dhe të mos ecim dhe jetojmë si ‘zombi’, duke pranuar dhe favorizuar çdo trend ose vlerë që na tregon se çfarë konsiderohet ‘normale. Mos ki frikë të jesh vetvetja. Hiqe maskën dhe trego vetveten!,” tregon KAS.

Pas realizimit të këngës “Product of Soceity” KAS bashkëpunoi me artistin e njohur Kobra aka Helmuesi i grupit TBA, në këngën “Goodbye” e cila u lëshua me 27 janar në youtube. KAS pret të nxjerrë një videoklip të ri gjatë verës, me një koncept origjinal të tij.