Plot

With “a poetic, intense opening that recalls ... Tarkovsky,” it is the story of Kukumi, Mara and Hasan, three patients “liberated” from a mental institution when the UN arrives, who wander the chaos of postwar Kosovo like lost children looking for a home. Arriving at the village of Hasan’s brother, they find a less than enthusiastic welcome but move into an abandoned building and set up housekeeping. Though what the film has to say about freedom, anarchy, love, hate, brutality, xenophobia and acceptance may be familiar; and though the device of viewing the insanity of war and post-war landscapes through the eyes of the legitimately insane is a long-standing one; the film’s language is new and fresh, and seems, like the hapless trio itself, to be attempting to create a new tradition from the rubble. Described variously as “enigmatic, mournful, darkly comic,” and “lyrically surreal,” praised for its visual originality, its “disturbingly pessimistic reflection on the meaning of freedom” and its statement via metaphor, the film, bolstered by a terrific musical score, was a prize winner at both the Sarajevo and Venice film festivals. Please join us in welcoming a new tradition – Kosovo cinema.

Reception

Awards:
(Winner)Venice Film Festival Regione del Veneto Award,
(Winner)Sarajevo Film Festival Jury Prize

Film Festivals:
Venice Film Festival

Trailers and Artwork

Key Art:

Key Frames: Trailer links:

Quotes and Credits

Credits

Producer Gani Mehmetaj

Director Isa Oosja

Kukumi Luan Jaha

Line Producer Ismail Peshku

Huligan Astrit Kabashi

Hasan Donat Qosja

Mara Anisa Ismaili

Zarifja Yllka Gashi

Gafurri Shkumbin Istrefi

Cinematography Menduh Nushi

Production Manager Ilir Gjocaj

Sound Re-recording Mixer Davor Omerza

Assistant Camera Ivica Katona

Kosovo Film, Pristina Production Companies

Production Assistant Yll Citaku

Assistant Camera Vlado Loncaric

Gaffer Sime Knezevic

Production Assistant Bujar Babuni

Location Manager Bujar Babuni