14.09.22
Events
The Hill Where Lionesses Roar (2021) / Director: Luana Bajrami / Length: 82 min. / Language: Albanian / Subtitles: English / Entrance: FREE
SYNOPSIS
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.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
"You always come back here, while we only want to leave."
Quoted from an umpteenth discussion with my cousin, as there have been so many, perched on the hill overlooking our village Pleshina. I turn to her: she does not look at me but stares into the distance, worried. It was then I understood that I was touching on a deep, generalized suffering. This place, this country - Kosovo - which fascinates me, is for her, a prison. By this she was also telling me that I was free.
THE HILL WHERE LIONESSES ROAR is the story of three young friends who grew up in a village where ignorance and boredom reign, and who decide in the prime of their lives to get out of it together. The film is carried by these three striking figures who rebel against the injustice of their condition that they did not choose. We follow the evolution of these three hearts that carry us by their laughter, their ardour, their hopes, and tears. Through them, the film paints this age where we question ourselves, this quest for oneself, for the other, this quest for good, but above all the potential of choices. The whole film is built around the feverish desire of youthful emancipation: this rage to break the bonds which inhabit these three young girls.
This theme for me is universal, so I wanted to untie the film from any temporality. However, I decided to set it in Kosovo.
FESTIVALS AND AWARDS
DIRECTORS' FORTNIGHT CANNES
MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
SARAJEVO FILM FESTIVAL - Heart of Sarajevo for Best Actress
PRISHTINA FILM FESTIVAL - Best Director & Best Actress
TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - Grand Jury Prize
WARSAW INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - FIPRESCI Jury Award
RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL - Best Director & Best Discovery
STOCKHOLM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - Best Debut & Best Script
IMAGE+NATION FILM FESTIVAL - Best Cinematography & Honourable Mention - Best Feature Film