SKA PROBLEM, NON C'È PROBLEMA (ALBANIA 1996-1997)

Two different episodes from the story of Albania. This is a country that is both obscure and nearby and that is a mirror of an Italy that we have buried in history. In August, 1996, Albania is going through a period of optimism with the illusion that it is on the right path for competing with the myths and the markets of the West. The wires on the bunkers are crumbling and have been by then replaced by the riggings of parabolic antennas. Every balcony has its "white ear" pointed towards the west. Television mulches everyone's imagination. Ambra dictates the fashion at Tirana. The mausoleum of the dictator, Enver Hoxha, has been transformed into a disco. There are a young boys songs, a young mans disappointments, and Agron Dasci's stories the stories of an Albanian airforce pilot. All these describe this country's past and present. Six months later, the future that they were all expecting a slow rebirth was torn to bits with a financial pyramiding scheme. Agron Dasci and his colleague, Ardian Elezi, are the first soldiers that are ordered to fire on the rebellious civilians. They chose to desert rather than start a civil war.

Director and screenplay: Luisa Quintavalle.
Director of photography: Luisa Quintavalle, Claudia Sinatti.
Editor: Elena Angeli, Gianfranco Vietti.
Production company: Luisa Quintavalle, via Pietro Cossa 2, 21100 Milano, tel. +3902780738.
Italian distribution: Jane Balfour Film Limited, 35 Fortess Road, Londra NW5 API, tel. +441712675392.