The Albanian Virgin - By Edlira Çini

Edlira Çini - Toronto

This was the title of the movie I was invited to watch at the Blue Mountain Film Festival.  Having been disappointed by the Albanian cinematography the last few years, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  But I was definitely willing to give it a shot after doing some research and familiarizing myself with the Director’s Bujar Alimani work.

Bujar Alimani

Few friends got together and took a beautiful sunny trip at the Blue Mountains. The drive was fun, accompanied by loud music, dancing on the seat and laughter.  When reached at the theater, we were hoping to see a higher participation of Albanian movie goers and supporters, but either way we had decided to enjoy ourselves no matter what.  We were proud that Albania was represented in the festival regardless of how the movie was going to turn out. But little did we know that we’re in for a wonderful surprise.

The story took place in Albania 1958-1968 in a time when both Enver Hoxha’s dictatorial regime and the mountain tribe code, had control over peoples’ lives. The movie starts with two young kids falling in love, in a village north of Albania.  The beginning was a little awkward and we were worried about the perception of non albanian viewers.  But that was just the beginning.  Throughout the movie, wave of emotions will capture your soul. Luana (Rina Krasniqi), a strong willed and rebellious girl, gives an outstanding performance on her leading role as she’s forced to transform from a beautiful young lady in love, to a “Burrnesh” and ultimately the man of the house to honor the blood feud. 

It clearly displayed the strength, resilience, and pride of Albanian women.  It showed that we can fight as strong as we can love. And as flowers blooming on rocks, we will find ways to survive any hostile environment and smash the rocks from within to take our roots deeper.

As an audience, raised in that environment, we all connected to the story in our different ways.  We cried and felt Luana’s pain and smiled when the movie unfolds to a better and a promising future.

The applause of the audience and engagement of the conversation with the director Bujar Alimani and producer Tefta Bejko, made it obvious that the story was well received by all.

After few pictures and more discussions, we left the theater with our heads held higher and hoping to see a lot more events like this and definitely with higher participation.

©Edlira Çini