PriFest Focus: La Vague de la Femme Kosovare

Against all odds, Kosovo has become a success story of international cinematography. And what’s more, women directors have had a huge impact in the international festival scene, all through debut films.

There is now an additional flavor to what was already being called the Kosovan New Wave. A great number of women directors have emerged. So it is only fitting that this year’s Focus Program present these films through a showcase. ‘La Vague de la Femme Kosovare’ is the title of this year’s program, which consists of 6 films, 4 of which will have their national premieres at PriFest.

“We are delighted and proud to present a showcase of films by young and prominent Kosovan female directors. The program will be followed by several panel discussions during the festival, with one of the most exciting being the discussion with authors and prominent Casting Directors who will be present at PriFest,” said Vjosa Berisha, PriFest director.

Also part of this year’s panel discussions at the Focus program is director & screenwriter Kaltrina Krasniqi, who will speak about her film ‘Vera dreams of the sea’ which will soon have its world premiere in Venice IFF.

Without further ado, we present to you full Line up of ‘La Vague de la Femme Kosovare’:

1. Hive by Blerta Basholli, Kosovo-Switzerland-North Macedonia, 84 min.

Fahrije’s husband has been missing since the war in Kosovo, and along with their grief, her family is struggling financially. In order to provide for them she launches a small agricultural business, but in the traditional patriarchal village where she lives, her ambition and efforts to empower herself and other women are not seen as positive things. She struggles not only to keep her family afloat but also against a hostile community who is rooting for her to fail.

2. Andromeda Galaxy by More Raça, Kosovo-Spain-Italy-N.Macedonia, 80min.

Andromeda Galaxy put fatherhood to the test, depicting the difficult, but not impossible, task of fulfilling one’s role as a father.

3. The Hill Where Lionesses Roar by Luana Bajrami, Kosovo-France, 83min.

Somewhere in Kosovo, in a small remote village, three young women see their dreams and ambitions stifled. In their quest for independence, nothing can stop them: time to let the lionesses roar.

4. Looking for Venera by Norika Sefa, Kosovo- N.Macedonia, 111 min.

Calm, taciturn teenager Venera lives in a small village in Kosovo. At home, three generations are constantly under one another’s feet in their cramped house, so she has hardly any privacy. Outside too, on the streets and in the café, it’s not much better: the village is small and there’s always a brother, nephew or neighbour keeping a beady eye on her. A girl is expected above all else to protect her good reputation – and that of her family. All of which makes it difficult for Venera to go her own way. Her spirits are lifted when she makes friends with rebellious Dorina, who already has a boyfriend. The two girls go out having fun together, as far as Venera’s father allows. One thing they know for sure: they don’t want to end up like their mothers. “I’ve never even seen my parents kiss”, Venera says.

5. A Prishtina story by Burbuqe Berisha, Kosovo, 85min.

The life of a young middle class couple, Aurora and Ben, changes when their daughter, Fiona, is diagnosed with acute leukemia and the struggle to find money for her treatment abroad begins. Trying to provide for their daughter, they are confronted with the evil parts of the world and face different battles. Their happy and peaceful life changes completely as it takes a major turn.

6. Zana by Antoneta Kastrati, Kosovo-Albania, 97 min.

Haunted by her long suppressed past and pressured by family to seek treatment from mystical healers for her infertility, a Kosovar woman struggles to reconcile the expectations of motherhood with a legacy of wartime brutality.

Join us at PriFest from 24-29 August.