Show Europe the quality of Balkan film

Director of the National Cinematography Center of Albania, Eduart Makri, for "Vijesti" about the cooperation between Montenegro and Albania, as well as the entire region

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Eduart Makri, Photo: Printscreen Cineuropa
Eduart Makri, Photo: Printscreen Cineuropa
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Europe is not sufficiently familiar with the cinematography of the countries of the Western Balkans, and cooperation between Montenegro and Albania in this field did not even exist until recently, the director of the National Cinematography Center of Albania, Eduart Makri, said in an interview for "Vijesti".

This is one of the reasons why the well-known Albanian actor and director strives for a better and clearer presentation of films from his country, as well as regional films, and works to strengthen cooperation and co-productions in the region, as well as the potential establishment of a joint fund...

"What is important, and also concerns interculturalism in the film, is that we are working on a big project within the framework of which we in this part of the Balkans will visit each other, cooperate with each other, and ultimately establish a joint fund within which we will realize even better and more significant mutual cooperation, with work on as many projects as possible, all in order for our countries to get closer in the field of cinematography, but also in general, and at the same time to show our own cinematography to other countries of the Balkans, but also to introduce our audience to other cinematography other countries of the Balkans, and then spread to Europe", Makri presents his vision in an interview with "Vijesti".

With such an intention earlier this year, a Memorandum on Cooperation was signed between the Film Center of Montenegro and the Albanian National Center for Cinematography, the subject of which is the cooperation of these centers with the aim of affirming audiovisual activity and culture, the need for audience development, as well as encouraging film co-productions between the two countries.

From the program in cooperation with FCCG
From the program in cooperation with FCCGphoto: Ivana Đurašković

On this occasion, he told "Vijesta" that he is very happy that an opportunity has been created for cooperation with the Film Center of Montenegro headed by Aleksandra Božović, and that he hopes that it is a good start to a long and successful joint work.

Although they are geographically, historically and demographically close countries, due to different socio-political circumstances, Montenegro and Albania have not cooperated enough in this field. Makri has the desire and intention to change that.

"What is true, unfortunately, is that we did not cooperate before. The fact is that Albania was closed during communism, and then when communism fell in Albania, Yugoslavia fell apart in our part of Europe, and in that sense we could not achieve adequate communication in this field earlier. Also, there were a lot of prejudices among people... I would say that these prejudices have almost disappeared, so now, that is, since I have been the head of the Film Center in Albania, we are trying to make the cooperation between our two countries as big as possible, and I am sure that many joint projects will follow in the future. However, this is only the beginning of the cooperation between our countries and cinematography," emphasizes Makri.

When asked if there are certain concessions for Montenegrin productions in Albania or in general in co-productions with Montenegro, which Albania offers, Makri says that they are actively working on it...

"What is active and current, and what we already have established in the system, are minority co-productions, which we certainly support. However, we are trying to abolish fees and taxes for Montenegrin authors who plan to make films in Albania, because for example we do not have these fees for Montenegro... In this sense, we are trying to help and attract artists from Montenegro to work in Albania ... Also, we are in the process of writing, that is, changing the law on cinematography, but not only on cinematography but also on other creative industries, and I am sure that there will be a lot of relief for Montenegrin and regional authors, all in order to the easiest way we could cooperate with each other", he emphasizes and further reveals:

"I am aware that there are already negotiations between our ministries for the abolition of those fees, and not only when it comes to the film industry, but also for the entire culture and cultural creators, so that they could create in another country as easily as possible and for as little money as possible, they operate in other countries", he said...

Such regional cooperation is important for everyone, and will especially contribute to the visibility of Balkan films in Europe, he believes.

"We have knowledge that Europe is not that familiar with the work of this part of the Balkans as far as films are concerned, so we are also trying to make the best possible presentation, that is, as many projects as possible so that Western Europe can see them and acquire them in the best possible way. an insight into what this part of the Balkans is doing for cinematography and in cinematography. Our goal is to present ourselves as well as all together as well as possible", says Makri.

Albanian and Montenegrin film centers jointly implemented a program called "Film as a tool for intercultural dialogue". Makri reminds that it is easy to communicate on a global level through film, but first you need to lay the foundations at the local level... Some historical circumstances, however, did not go well with those foundations...

"With the exit of Albania from communism, a different presentation of the film was made compared to the period of communism. Now we also present the film like all other countries and we approach the film the same way as the others, both in the creation and the process of creating the work itself, as well as in distribution and promotion, and we try to make the film industry the way the entire region does it," he says. he.

Recalling the relationship between European and Balkan cinema, he concludes that this part of Europe has a lot to offer the rest...

"As I said before, Europe and the European Union do not yet know and do not know this part of the Balkans that much when it comes to film... But we are the ones who know each other and in this sense we will work together as much as possible and on the best possible projects, in order to show Europe what the Western Balkans actually is and can offer," says Makri.

Teaching young people film communication and literacy

Eduart Makri is one of the most successful Albanian actors, directors and screenwriters, and he also uses this experience as the director of the National Film Center...

"As someone who deals with cinematography, first of all as a director and actor, but also a screenwriter, I can say that in communication via networks, young people, unfortunately, abuse these forms of communication a lot... I can also say that I have now initiated a project together with the Ministry of Education in which we will present film communication for young people, i.e. work on film literacy", he reveals...

That project also aims to show young people how to use their (smart) phones in the best possible way...

"Young people and children use phones the most today, and in order for them to learn and find out as much as possible about cinematography, we want to show that phones today are also a means through which a lot of things related to cinematography can be done. We are all trying to do it together, but it is also very difficult to make such a presentation and education for children, where children will be able to use information over the phone by educating themselves and learning more about the cinematography of Albania... On the other hand, they are skilled in handling phones, so we want to direct them to use the phones they own in the best possible way," says Makri.

Today, the film has become globally available through various streaming platforms, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but has many advantages, only if they are recognized and used in the right way, evaluates Eduart Makri.

"In a practical sense, cinematography is now distributed through telephone devices, as well as through television, various streams... In addition, literally, film as communication and a form of communication has come to be able to communicate in the same way as a short video or some message... Now we can show our films more easily to the general public and the availability of distribution is better, which should be taken advantage of," he says.

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