11/08/2023

Last night was emotional and inspiring. The films of two young filmmakers, Flutura Balaj and Albana Nila had their world premiers in Prizren. 

“Sisters” and “Transmissions” were supported through "Support to the New Wave of Kosovo Filmmakers”, a grant of the Swedish Embassy in Kosovo aiming to help emerging filmmakers tell their own stories on screen. 

While the audience awaited the screenings at Kino Lumi, one could feel the excitement of something new coming and the two films reflected that there are compelling narratives that the audience deserves to listen to. 

Starting with “Sisters” directed by Albana Nila, we follow the story of Mara, who after a traumatic experience, feels detached from her two sisters who are always discussing together. The need for redemption comes as an act inspired and encouraged by her sisters so that Mara finally can have some peace of mind. This issue tackles the endless problems girls go through while they try to navigate life and find a support system to host a better future, a braver one. 

“Transmissions” directed by Flutura Balaj, presents her own experience, but not only of the obstacles of living in a limiting environment and the feelings of remorse once you escape it are intertwined in a conversational narrative between “two girls”, or as the director herself explained, the two versions of her in and out of Kosovo, discuss the matter. Both voices long for what the other has, one for freedom, ambition, and experience, while the other chases a feeling of belonging and home.

After the screening, there was a palpable feeling of joy and pride for these two filmmakers and their crew as they approached the stage to join Eroll Bilibani, the head of Dokulab on stage, who well said: Dokufest called it before Future is a girl!

Having the chance to talk more about the films, and their practices, the directors explained a little bit more about the origins of their stories and what the future holds for them. 

Albana Nila’s experience with film-making has sent her to many competitions and festivals, and she explains a little more about the start of how this story came to the screen. “Due to many sad events that have happened these last years, where there is not a day by not heard of a case of violence or feminization in Kosovo, I felt I had to write a script about it. These topics must be treated carefully and it was a great challenge to be as thoughtful as I could with people that live through this type of experience. 

She describes her experience of making this film as eased by the support of Dokufest and the Swedish Embassy and by the staff that worked on this film whose help has been unreplaceable. While reflecting on her role as a director she specifies that it is crucial to have near people that have the same vision for the project. 

Nila’s practice relies on society’s daily problems, a thing she does tirelessly because she needs to bring to the spotlight what concerns her and what she feels should grasp the attention of many. She hopes that through continuous work she will be even more secure in this profession so she can create and share with everyone other stories. 

The future holds many surprises and for Anila, there is also a new project coming up, on whose script she is already working, while she will work on the distribution of “Sisters”.

Flutura Balaj’s background in Astrophysics and Cosmology aids her in creating profound narratives. While also studying abroad sparked an important conversation of belonging, growing, and reflecting on who we are at home and abroad. For her, the film “Transmissions” is a very personal one, while it belongs also to many people in Kosovo because before or after the war they felt the need to go abroad so they could be financially and professionally fulfilled. 

Studying abroad her marked the beginning of writing this story due to her need to fulfill her ambition to study Astrophysics and Cosmology, a thing she could not pursue in Kosovo. Elaborating on this decision she feels the pressure of moving to another country and leaving behind her support system to achieve her dream, a thing that is not easy to do because a part of your heart will always belong to your home and people who love you.

As she expressed after the screening: “This film is for all of you” as it is important to underline the two axes of experience of what happens (might happen) before you leave your country and after. Two momentous points with which the audience can connect. 

Filmmaking is not her first profession and she had to delve into film-making and finding the right knowledgeable people who shared her vision for the story. This film's main objective was to connect emotionally with the audience and it surely did on the premiere. 

She later went on to explain the two-folded feeling of how people deal with movement while wishing that people here in Kosovo can be free as soon as possible so everyone can thrive and reach their potential for things they cannot achieve in this country.

She explains her practice as driven by personal experience, treating the narration as a diary of her concerns and thoughts. Differently from her practice as an astrophysicist, she approaches filmmaking from her point of view and her creative process she follows her vision and gut to create a meaningful story.

It was indeed a shining moment for Albana Nila and Flutura Balaj and we cannot wait what the future will hold for them. 

By: Blerina Kanxha

Photo: Furkan Celik