Aktori i njohur i Hollywoodit, Tom Hanks është takuar me ministrin e Jashtëm të Kosovës, Enver Hoxhaj. Në këtë takim, Hanks ka mirëpritur ftesën e ministrit për vizitë Kosovës dhe mundësinë e bashkëpunimit në ndonjë projekt filmik kosovar.

Nga Ardian Jasiqi 25 Tetor 2011

Photo by: www.mfa-ks.net

Ministri i Punëve të Jashtme i Republikës së Kosovës, Enver Hoxhaj, është takuar me aktorin e famshëm të Hollywoodit, Tom Hanks, gjatë një vizite para disa javëve në Berlin.

Takimi kishte ndodhur në kohën kur Tom Hanks ishte duke e dhënë premierën e filmit të tij më të ri “Larry Crowne”, në të cilin Hanks përpos rolit kryesor, ka bërë edhe regjinë dhe skenarin.

“Javë më parë ministri i Punëve të Jashtme i Republikës së Kosovës, Enver Hoxhaj, ka pas një takim me aktorin e madh të Hollywoodit, Tom Hanks. Në këtë takim, ministri Hoxhaj ka kërkuar që Hanks ta vizitojë sa më shpejt Kosovën. Hangs ka mirëpritur ftesën e ministrit Hoxhaj dhe ka paralajmëruar se shumë shpejt do të vizitojë Republikën e Kosovës”, ka thënë për Express Artan Behrami, këshilltar politik i ministrit të Punëve të Jashtme të Republikës së Kosovës, Enver Hoxhaj.

Sipas Behramit, ministri në këtë takim me Hanks ka diskutuar edhe për mundësinë e bashkëpunimit mes aktorit dhe aktorëve e regjisorëve kosovarë në ndonjë projekt të madh filmik.

Ndryshe, sipas Behramit, në këtë takim është folur për mundësitë që i ofron Kosova për prodhimin e ndonjë projekti të madh filmik.

“Vendet si Kosova ofrojnë shumë rrëfime, narracione, histori të njerëzve që kanë vuajtur në periudha të ndryshme kohore, e që për aktor dhe regjisor ndërkombëtar mund të shërbejnë si inspirim për projekte filmike”, thotë Behrami.

Sipas këshilltarit të ministrit, Ministria e Punëve të Jashtme e Republikës së Kosovës është duke punuar shumë për promovimin e artit dhe kulturës kosovare në arenën ndërkombëtare.

“Normalisht, kjo do të ndodhë në bashkëpunim me Ministrinë e Kulturës, artistë dhe regjisorë kosovarë. Ne do të mbështesim shumë projekte, që për qëllim kanë promovimin e kulturës dhe artit kosovar’, tha Behrami për Express.

Ndryshe, Tom Hanks është njëri prej aktorëve më të njohur të Hollywoodit.

Hanks në vitrinën e tij ka të fituar dy çmime Oskar dhe 57 çmime të tjera kinematografike. Ndër karakteret e tij më të njohura janë në filmat “The Green Mile” (1999), “Saving Private Ryan” (1998), “Forrest Gump” (1994) dhe “The Da Vinci Code” (2006”.

Filmi i fundit që u dha premierë këto ditë në SHBA dhe në Evropë, po ashtu ishte një hit. Në “Larry Crowne” ai luan rolin e një agjenti të patundshmërive që humbet punën dhe kthehet përsëri në kolegj. Në krah të tij paraqitet aktorja e njohur amerikane, fituese po ashtu e disa çmimeve, Julia Roberts.

Burimi: Ministria e Puneve te Jashtme

Blink from Paul Kurti on Vimeo.

www.PaulKurti.com

Film shows true impact of fast-growing national youth movement

Jason Cairo

Dobbs Ferry, NY – A documentary showcasing the extraordinarily positive impacts of a high school cycling movement is having it’s New York state premiere at the Irvington Town Hall Theater on Tuesday, March 12th,

Taking a close look at the National Interscholastic Cycling Association’s (NICA) NorCal High School Cycling League, Singletrack High follows a diverse group of high school students through the 2012 mountain bike racing season.

The film explores the wide range of positive outcomes from keeping adolescents active on bikes at an age when many are “trading in two wheels for four,” as one of the subjects puts it.

All proceeds of the March 12th screening will benefit the upstart New York High School Cycling League.The New York league is one of three new leagues to join the national movement in 2012. New York’s first race season commences April 28th with the Ridge 2 Ridge Race at Sprain Ridge Park in Yonkers.

NICA Executive Director, Austin McInerny, said, “We are thrilled with Singletrack High! The film captures the challenges and rewards experienced by six diverse student-athletes throughout a season of racing with their respective mountain bike teams. By following the riders closely and talking with their coaches and parents repeatedly over many months, the film presents a compelling explanation of the value and need for high school-based cycling teams. I am confident that even non-cyclists will want to support our efforts after seeing this film.”

Filmmaker Jacob Seigel-Boettner, who produced the film with his brother Isaac, said, “Even as former high school and collegiate cyclists, it was an eye-opener for us to see the impact that mountain bike racing has had on these kids. Being part of a high school bike team has helped them find acceptance, accept themselves, and expand their worlds. We are very grateful to the student-athletes of Singletrack High and their families for opening up their lives to us, both on and off the bike. We hope that their stories inspire kids across the country to grab their bikes and hit the trail.”

Specialized Bicycle Components was the primary funder of Singletrack High, driven to show the incredible impact of high school mountain biking and garner additional support for NICA leagues.

Who: New York High School Cycling League
What: Screening of Singletrack High
Where: Irvington Town Hall Theater
When: March 12th, 7:30 PM
Why: Raise Awareness of Newly Forming Statewide Program
Tickets: $16, Available Here (Advanced Purchase Recommended)
Trailer: http://vimeo.com/45295483

Singletrack High Teaser from Pedal Born Pictures on Vimeo.

About the New York High School Cycling League
The New York High School Cycling League promotes personal development and teamwork through mountain biking, and encourages the formation of teams at public, charter and private high schools. With the cooperation of local race promoters and our sponsors, the League will organize a first class series of races designed for high school aged student-athletes to commence in the spring of 2013. The League makes high school racing the easiest route for youth to get involved in the challenging and exciting world of competitive cycling.

The League is generously supported by founding national sponsor Specialized Bicycle Components, as well as establishing sponsors Easton Foundations, SRAM and Trek Bicycles; major sponsors Sho-Air, Clif Bar & Company, Clif Foundation, Elm Ridge Capital Management, Primal Wear, Quality Bicycle Products, GU Sports, Kinetic, Maxxis, CamelBak, Feedback Sports, Ft. Lewis College, Fox Racing Shox, Rack & Go, Spincredible, Tarricone Realty, Good Life Gourmet and Ritchey Designs; media partners Mountain Bike Action, Dirt Rag, and Cyclingnews. For more information on the League visit www.newyorkmtb.org or contact Jason Cairo at jason@newyorkmtb.org or (914) 500-7821.

About Pedal Born Pictures:
Pedal Born Pictures is a Bay Area-based independent documentary production company. Founded in 2010 by brothers Jacob and Isaac Seigel-Boettner, Pedal Born’s goal is to shed light on compelling stories that are hidden in plain sight. Their first film, With My Own Two Wheels, wove together five stories from around the globe into a single film about the bicycle as a vehicle for change. It was an official selection of the 2011 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Mountainfilm in Telluride, Wild and Scenic Film Festival, and Port Townsend Film Festival, where it won Best Documentary Featurette. Pedal Born Pictures has also produced promotional pieces for the University of California at Berkeley, Specialized Bicycle Components, and World Bicycle Relief. For more information visit pedalbornpictures.com.

Intervistoi Fatime Kulli

Arti nuk vlerësohet dhe nuk investohet nga shteti shqiptar. Atë që s’e bën politika, duhet ta bëjnë artistët.

F.Kulli: Zonja Margaritë, jeni grua, nënë dhe artiste. Si e keni përballuar për të qenë një e vetme?

Margarita Xhepa: Jam një grua si të gjitha gratë shqiptare, me problemet e mbingarkesës që të afron jeta e përditshme. Pasi gruaja jonë është e ngarkuar,e lodhur, që harron veten e saj, për të plotësuar të gjitha kërkesat e familjes së saj. Sepse gruaja shqiptare është gruaja e sakrificës, padyshim është më e lodhura, më e vuajtura në familje dhe në shoqëri. Si nënë jam e lumtur. Kam rritur tre fëmijë, me shumë mundim, për nga vetë profesioni im. Sepse të rritësh, të edukosh dhe të shkollosh tre fëmijë është një stërmundim. Por tashti jam e kënaqur, pasi fëmijët e mi janë bërë të zotë për veten dhe shoqërinë. Unë lumturohem, sepse nuk më shkoi mundi dhe sakrifica dëm. Dhe ko është dhurata më e madhe që i bëhet nënës,kur i sheh fëmijët e saj të rritur, të edukuar, të zotë në profesionet e tyre, duke qenë vetvetja e tyre.

   Kurse si artiste, me keqardhje e deklaroj: Jam artiste vetëm në skenë, në shtëpi jam një skllave e mbërthyer me vështirësitë e jetës, të së përditshmes që përjetojnë në përgjithësi njerëzit e ndershëm të shoqërisë shqiptare dhe artistët në përgjithësi.

   F.Kulli: Të ndalemi te arti. Si e përballoni ekzistencën e të ekzistuarit artiste?

   Margarita Xhepa: Ashtu siç kam qenë e mbingarkuar në familje, po ashtu kam qenë shumë e mbingarkuar edhe në punë. Më aktivizojnë në shumë komedi,të huaja dhe shqiptare. Dhe kur spektatori më pret shumë ngrohtë me duartrokitjet e tij, unë rilind sërish. Gjithashtu, besimi i regjisorëve ndaj meje më rrit përgjegjësinë e përkushtimin, në dashurinë e madhe për profesionin tim si aktore,mundohem ta justifikoj veten me korrektësi. Sepse unë s’kam profesion tjetër, veç artit që më rriti, më formoi dhe më bëri të jem kjo që jam sot. Pasi arti ka kënaqësi të jashtëzakonshme që të ngjit në majë, dhe lum kush punon për t’i ngjitur këto maja. Duke u marrë me art gjatë gjithë jetës sime në skenë më ka bërë të njohur. Shumë njerëz në rrugë më respektojnë, më kërkojnë që unë të luaj në skenë, apo të xhiroj nëpër filma sërish. Dhe unë vazhdoj sërish të punoj, se më mbajnë gjallë përshëndetjet e tyre, mirënjohja e tyre dhe duartrokitjet e zjarrta, që si vullkan mposhtin hallet e problemet e mia, pasi edhe unë jam njeri i gjallë si ata.

   F.Kulli: Përveç kënaqësisë  dhe respektit që të jep skena, spektatori, a ta japin këtë kënaqësi apo vlerësim institucionet e kulturës të shtetit shqiptar? Dhe si vlerësohet artisti në Shqipëri?

   Margarita Xhepa: Shteti na ka dhënë nga një dekoratë apo titull si artistë të merituar,por këto dekorata e fletë nderi kanë zënë myk në sirtarët tona. Shteti s’ka hyrë kurrë tek hallet e problemet tona! Të pyesin, si jetojmë ne? Sa shtëpi kemi ne? Sa pension kemi ne? Por kur kanë nevojë për autoritetin politik, na ftojnë për të ilustruar fasadën e personalitetit të pushtetit serioz. Sepse ata s’dinë mirë, që fytyra e vërtetë e një kombi është arti dhe kultura. Por kur artin nuk vlerësohet dhe investohet nga shteti, karriget  e tyre do të digjen si kashtë e thatë. Sepse s’ka art. Sepse artistët tanë në Shqipëri janë kontingjenti më i persekutuar nga vetë shteti shqiptar, me rroga dhe pensione qesharake që s’na dalin as për kafetë që pimë në pushim të provave. Dhe kjo, është varfëria profesionale e një shteti të konsoliduar kurrë, që s’mendon jo vetëm për artistët, por edhe në shumë fusha të tjera të rëndësishme të vendit të tij, si psh në shëndetësi, në arsim, duke i krijuar mundësinë e korrupsionit të llahtarshëm. Është shumë e dhimbshme, se këtu tek ne (si në asnjë vend të botës) ka artistë që nuk kanë shtëpi ku të futin kokën, kurse politikanët kanë nga 2-3 vila luksoze. Megjithatë, edhe pse, nè artistët mbijetojmë mbi xhunglat e padrejtësive, në nëpërkëmbjen e injorancës së shtetit të djeshëm dhe të sotëm, që na diskrediton me ndarje dhe fshirje personalitetesh, ne kemi punuar me pasion dhe kemi fisnikëruar portretin e artistit e të shoqërisë shqiptare. Gjithë jetën e shkrinë rininë e tyre me vetëmohim e sakrificë për të bërë art të vërtetë.

   F.Kulli: Ju shohim shpesh nëpër aktivitete letrare, ku interpretoni. A ju paguajnë? Pasi edhe arti me reformimin e tij, duket se ka hyrë në rrugën e biznesit ose më troç, të tregut kapitalist.

   Margarita Xhepa: Kurrë nuk e trajtoj artin e interpretimit, biznes (dhe Margarita ngrys vetullat). I kam në Shqipëri pash më pash. Kam respektuar çdo poet që më ka ftuar nëpër promovime librash, për t’ia lartësuar poezinë e tij. Jam munduar që artit t’i jap shpirt nga shpirti im. Dhe më kujtohet një takim letrar në qytezën e Ulzës (ku isha e ftuar nga kryetari i komunës, Simon Kaca). Ku nxënësit e shkollës së mesme dhe 8-vjeçare më kanë duartrokitur e respektuar aq shumë, sa që u mallëngjeva dhe s’kisha ç’t’u jepja. Në Ulëz ishte një vend shumë i varfër, sa që banorët atje diskutonin bukën e gojës. Kurrë s’jam ndjerë më e ligsht, kur një nxënës zhytet në liqen dhe zuri një peshk, për të ma dhuruar mua për respekt. Nuk do ta harroj kurrë atë moment emocionant. Dhe me të mbërritur në Tiranë, kërkova ndihmë në shoqata bamirëse si Kryqi i Kuq, për t’i ndihmuar ata fëmijë në Ulëz, me ato probleme sociale, që për shtetin shqiptar ndofta s’ekzistojnë fare. Kudo që ka shkelur këmba ime (nëpër shkollat e qytetit, në reparte ushtarake, në takime letrare) kam punuar falas. Biznesin në art le ta bëjnë menaxherët e shoqërive të ndryshme private artistike. Artistët e brezit tim, nuk mund ta bëjnë kurrë këtë turp. Të fitojmë para nga njerëzit e varfër. Po arti në Shqipëri kështu u katandis, përderisa emërohen në Ministri të Kulturës ministrat politikë, që i shkatërruan kultet e artit dhe të kulturës, në të gjithë vendin.

   F. Kulli:Cila është thirrja e shpirtit të artistes Margarita Xhepa për kolegët e saj artistë në Shqipëri?

   Margarita Xhepa: Të japin sa më shumë shfaqje e koncerte bamirëse. Atë që s’e bën politika, do ta bëjnë artistët.

   F.Kulli: Margarita është “halla” tek “Rruga me pisha”, që transmeton Radio Tirana në bashkëpunim me BBC-në. A e gjeni veten në këtë rol?

   Margarita Xhepa: Më ka mbushur boshllëqet e kësaj kohe të turbullt. Personazhi i “hallës”është një grua fisnike hallemadhe, që merr pjesë në të gjitha hallet dhe problemet e shoqërisë shqiptare, që për ne shqiptarët, s’paskan kurrë të sosur. Meraku im si aktore ka qenë gjithmonë për të gjetur të veçantën e këtyre grave, që brenda karakterit të “hallës”, të trajtoj shpirtin njerëzor, sa të urtë,sa human, aq edhe të mençur, për t’u gjetur pranë njerëzve, me ndihmën time modeste.

 F.Kulli: Rolet që kini luajtur në skenë,a përkojnë me realitetin e hidhur që përjetojnë sot shqiptarët? Dhe si ndjehet Margarita para këtyre situatave?

  Margarita Xhepa: Jemi në vitin 2002 dhe unë do të kthehem në retrospektivë,ku në vitin 1951 kam luajtur për herë të parë rolin e shërbyeses, në një dramë ruse “Makar Dubrov”. Kanë kaluar 51 vjet pas rolit, dhe realiteti shqiptar përjeton në çdo kohë drama dhe tragjedi të tilla. Shqipëria vazhdon të përjetojë, siç kanë shkruar Naimi, Mjeda, Fishta e Migjeni. Prandaj edhe spektatori ynë është shumë i ndjeshëm nga dhimbjet, nga dramat që luhen në kurriz të tij. Dhe kjo pa dyshim ka një arsye objektive, se shteti shqiptar është i dobët, i pafuqishëm para krimit. Më dhëmb shpirti për popullin tim që është i destinuar të vuaj gjithnjë mungesën e një shteti të fuqishëm ligjor, që të jetë në shërbim të qytetarëve të tij. (Margaritës i mbushen sytë me lot). Çdo ditë nëpër ekrane dëgjojmë lajme të tmerrshme,”këtu” u vra një njeri, “aty” u zhduk një familje. O Zot, çfarë nuk të dëgjon veshi, çfarë nuk na shohin sytë! O Zot! Ndihmoji shqiptarët e gjorë, se janë njerëz të mirë dhe nuk e meritojnë të vuajnë kështu gjithë jetën e tyre.

  Faleminderit zonjës Margaritë, për intervistën dhe për emocionet që na imponoi nëpërmjet apelit njerëzor, të artistes së madhe të skenës dhe të kinematografisë shqiptare, ku Zoti i dhuroi bukurinë fizike dhe skena i rrëmbeu talentin, për ta shndërruar në një yll të vërtetë të skenës dhe të filmit. Portreti fizik i Margarita Xhepës ngjason me artisten e madhe botërore, Merlin Monro, kurse fati i karrierës artistike, nuk i ngjason me asnjë artiste në botë. Pasi artistet e mëdha shqiptare,si znj.Xhepa, Tinka Kurti e ndonjë tjetër kanë luajtur 50 vjet në skenë dhe s’kanë fituar asgjë, por janë shfrytëzuar si skllave të persekutuara nga mospërkrahja e shtetit për të mbrojtur personalitetin financiar të heroinave të skenës shqiptare. Këto dy artiste të mëdha, meritojnë buste,që gratë shqiptare të krenohen me forcën artistike të gruas shqiptare, që sakrifikuan aq shumë për artin shqiptar. Dhe për kureshtje të lexuesit dhe të gjeneratave të reja, po jap disa nga rolet më të spikatura të luaneshës aktore, gjatë karrierës artistike:

1. “Makar Dubrov” – 1951 (dramë në teatër);

2. “Zëri i Amerikës” – 1952 (Teatri Popullor, dramë);

3.1952-1957 (aktore në estradën profesioniste të Tiranës), ku ka luajtur mbi 100 role, si aktore, recituese dhe konferenciere.

4. “Majlinda”-1957 (dramë në Teatrin Kombëtar);

5. “Në anën tjetër”-1958 (dramë);

6. “Mashenka”-1957(dramë ruse,në rolin kryesor);

7. “Trimi i mirë me shokë shumë”-1959 (Historia e Skënderbeut);

8. “Tragjedia “Hamleti” nga Shekspiri, 1960;

9. “Mbreti Ilir”- Shekspir;

10. “Romeo e Zhulieta”- Shekspir;

11. “Orfeu në ferr”-Shekspir;

12. “Vizita e inspektorit”-Gjon Pitlicit;

13. “Mbreti”- Arturo Ui;

14. “Xhaxha Vanja”;

15. “Helenën” – Çehov;

16. “Qeni i kopshtarit”.- Lopez de Vega;

17. “Macela”-Artur Miler (gjithnjë në rolet kryesore, ku luan rolin e gruas);

18. “Cuca e maleve”;

19.”Lumi i vdekur”;

20. “Kush e solli Doruntinën”;

21.”Përballë vetes”, etj.etj.

Nëse do të vazhdoja në rolet që ka interpretuar bukuroshja e skenës Margarita Xhepa, duhet të kapërcej 150 male e dete, sepse rolet që ka luajtur Margarita janë mbi 150 role kryesore në teatër. Aktorja sakrifikoi denjësisht në artin magjik të filmit, ku ka luajtur mbi 64 role kryesore në filmat shqiptarë.

Midis tyre do të veçoja:

1.”Vitet e para”-viti 1964.

2. “Dimri i fundit”;

3. “Tokë e përgjakur”;

4. “Koncert në vitin 1936”;

5. “Vitet e pritjes”8Kurbeti);

6. “Dora e ngrohtë”;

7. “Apasionata”;

8.”Vasil Shanto”;

 9. “Dollia e dasmës sime”;

10. “Pranvera s’erdhi vetëm”;

11. “Gurët e shtëpisë sime”;

12. “Gabimi im”, etj, etj.

   Një sukses i madh i aktores M.Xhepa ka qenë pjesëmarrja në filmin grek “Mirupafshim”, me regjisor Jorgo Koras dhe Kristo Vukuras, Margarita luajti rolin e nënës me aktorin më të kërkuar grek, Aqis Sakelariu, dhe në të gjitha faqet e para të shtypit grek shkëlqente portreti i aktores shqiptare M.Xhepa. S’kishte si të ndodhte ndryshe, pasi ai rol i gruas i përshtatej thellë në ind dhimbjes amësore të fatit tragjik të shqiptarëve, që lënë shtëpitë e familjet e tyre për një copë bukë. Dhe nuk i dihet fatit të tyre, kthehen gjallë apo të vdekur. Një tjetër sukses i Margarita Xhepës, ishte pjesëmarrja në Teatrin Kombëtar të Athinës me “Elektra” e Sofokliut në rolin e dados, me regjisorin e njohur grek, Dhimitër Mavriqo.

  Kjo pra, është karriera artistike e Margarita Xhepës. Gruaja që theu tabutë në një moshë fare të re dhe u ngjit në skenën shqiptare për t’u bërë mit i bukurisë dhe profesionit aktoresk. Dhe ia arriti qëllimit të saj fisnik e profesional, ku dha shumë nga jeta e saj e derdhi të gjithë mirësinë e shpirtit të gruas dhe të nënës shqiptare.

Po çfarë mori si shpërblim nga shteti shqiptar dje dhe sot? Asgjë, veçse dashurisë dhe mirënjohjen nga njerëzit e thjeshtë artdashës,që përulen me respekt kudo që e shohin në rrugë këtë drenushë të pavdekshme të artit skenik shqiptar.

“Right to Love” had an amazing sold out full house premiere in Russia. The premiere took place in Moscow at the Greek Hall of famous movie theatre “Eldar” on March 17th, 2013. Successful filmmakers, Paul Kurti (director), Amina Zhaman (screen writer, producer & lead) and Marina Bolotokova, (Producer & CEO of Oriental Pearl LLC) made a very good movie, with a great story. The screening brought out over 100 people, including VIPs and Russian stars. The screening was in the original language – English – with no translation and no Russian subtitles, which was a first for Russian cinema.

Lead actress Amina Zhaman and supporting actor Luan Bexheti attended the Russian premiere in Moscow. Among guests of the screening were famous Russian actresses Ludmila Dmitrieva and Ksenia Berestnikova, pop star Shamil, Balkar folk singer Ruslan Khasaitov, Circassian poet Ratmir and others.

Amina Zhaman and Luan Bexheti

Amina Zhaman

“I am very happy that international Moscow audience loved the movie “Right to Love”. Many of the viewers cried during the screening, all of them had shivers, each of them was touched by the story of Tony and Amina and none of them wanted the film to end unhappily. Ever since the US premiere in December 2012 many critics and viewers keep telling me they want more and that the film should be continued. Frankly, I didn’t expect the same reaction in Moscow since the audience here is rarely emotional, and I am amazed by the number of people here who just like the New Yorkers persuade me that this is not the end and ask me to make a sequel of ‘Right to Love’”, – said screenwriter Amina Zhaman.

Filmi “Right to Love” (E Drejta për të Dashuruar) gjatë premierës në Rusi i dha emocione një salle mbushur plot e përplot, një moment i veçantë për aktorin Luan Bexhetin dhe producenten Amina Zhanan, të cilët ishin prezent. Premiera e filmit u shfaq në teatrin e famshëm “Eldar” me 17 mars 2013 në Moskë. Premiera solli mbi 100 spektatorë, duke përfshirë edhe Vipat dhe yjet e njohur të Rusisë. Midis tyre ishin dhe aktoret e famshme ruse Ludmila Dmitrieva dhe Ksenia Berestnikova, ylli i muzikës Shamil, këngëtari i muzikës Balkar folk Ruslan Khasaitov, poeti çerkez Ratmir, etj.

Amina Zhaman dhe Luan Bexheti

Filmi u shfaq në gjuhën orgjinale, në aglisht, pa përkthim ose titra, që ishte e para herë për kinemanë ruse. Filmi u realizua me regji të Paul Kurtit, me producentë Amina Zhaman (e cila ka shkruar skenarin dhe luan rolin kryesor, producente) dhe Marina Bolotokova, (producente & CEO e Oriental Pearl LLC).

“Jam shumë e lumtur që audienca vendase dhe e huaj në Moskë u dashuruan me filmin “Right to Love”. Shumë nga spektatorët kanë qarë në fund të filmit gjatë shfaqjes, të gjithë ishin të emocionuar dhe u prekën nga historia e Tonit dhe Aminës. Nuk donin që filmi të përfundonte pa “happy ending”. Që nga premiera Amerikane në dhjetor 2012 shumë kritikë dhe shikues të filmit më tregojnë që duan të shikojnë më shumë dhe filmi të vazhdojë me një pjesë tjetër. Te them të drejtën nuk e prisja këtë lloj reagimi në Moskë, meqë audienca këtu rrallë emocionohet. Jam mahnitur me numrin e madh të personave si në New York edhe në Moskë që duan të më bindin të krijoj pjesën e dytë si vijim për filmin Right to Love,” tha skenaristja dhe producentja e filmit, Amina Zhaman.

Katie Uhlmann, entertainment host of Katie Chats (http://katiechats.com) sits down with director of Right to Love movie, Paul Kurti, at the Carlton Cinema in downtown Toronto, Canada. Katie Chats brings in her unique take on today’s entertainment news and movie reviews. She’s also a talented actress and has appeared in numerous tv series and films including “The Ultimate Movie”, “Last Run”, “Paranormal Wittness”, etc. (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3043335). Katie Uhlmann is an alumna of Queen’s University with an Honors degree in Drama and Psychology. She studied under the now late Goldie Semple at the renowned Shaw festival. Later studied with Howard Fine and Aaron Speiser in Los Angeles, and David Rotenberg in Toronto. As host of Katie Chats she covers film screenings and festivals in LA & Toronto.

In the following interview, Paul Kurti discusses the inspiration and the making of Right to Love Film. Paul Kurti is an Albanian-Canadian filmmaker. The grandson of actress Tinka Kurti, he grew up with a deep interest in visual forms of expression, including drawing, architecture and film. He studied filmmaking at the New York Film Academy. He has directed various music videos and short films including the YOBI Film Award winning “Restless Wanderer”. His films have screened at festivals such as WILDsound (Canada), DreamBox (Japan), Tirana International Film Festival (Albania) etc. In 2012 he directed his first feature “Right to Love” which included a diverse international cast. His biggest film influence is the German director Werner Herzog. He believes in creating stories and images that search to illuminate what defines and connects us as human beings.(www.paulkurti.com)

Useful links:

WEBSITES:
http://paulkurti.com/
https://twitter.com/pkurti
https://www.facebook.com/MLTCarlton
https://twitter.com/mltcarlton
http://www.carltoncinema.ca
http://www.academy.ca/awards/
http://www.academy.ca/
https://twitter.com/Academy_NET

KATIE CHATS:
YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/KatieUhlm…
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/#!/KatieChats
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/katieuhlmann…
WEBSITE: http://katiechats.com/

Nga Ermira Babamusta

Regjizori Fisnik Muji

Fisnik Muji është student në Fakultetin e Artit Dramatik, Regji Filmi, në Universitetin e Prishtinës. Projekti i tij, “Bora”, e cila ishte detyrë semestrale për klasën e profesor Jeton Ahmetaj në UP, u zgjodh në festivalin për filma të shkurtër “The Living Skies Student Film Festival” në Toronto të Kanadasë. Filmi “Bora” u vlerësua si filmi i shkurtër me regjinë më të mirë. Në këtë festival kishte përzgjedhje nga universitete dhe regjizorë të rinj nga e gjithë bota dhe Kosova zuri vendin fitues. Fisnik Muji u nderua me çmimin “Regjizori më  i Mirë”/ Best Director (http://lsfilmfest.com/?p=666).

Xhirimet e filmit filluan në dhjetor 2012 në Prishtinë. Bashkëpunëtorët në këtë projekt filmik janë: skenaristë Abetare Shabiu dhe Fisnik Muji, kameraman dhe montazher Agon Kryeziu, organizator Arben Muji, skenografia realizuar nga Valon Rukovci. Aktorë janë: Selman Lokaj, Kaona Sylejmani, Liridona Shehu, Refik Kryeziu dhe Fillesa Gashi. Ndërsa revidimi i audios dhe muzikës janë bërë nga Hekuran Krasniqi dhe Agron Peni (kitarë).

“Jam i gëzuar për vlerësimin e filmit “Bora”. Në veçanti falenderoj familjen time që më ka përkrahur shumë nga të gjitha aspektet për realizimin e projekteve të mia filmike. Ju jam shumë mirënjohës për këtë.  Tani jam duke punuar në një film të ri me titull “Rrota”, dhe shpresoj që do të ketë sukses gjithashtu,” tha regjizori Fisnik Muji.

Filmi me metrazh të shkurtër “Bora” është një rrëfim për pastërtinë dhe këmbënguljen e një fëmije. Bora është një vajzë që dëshiron të blej një dhuratë për motrën e saj, e cila është kujdesur për të që kur iu kishte vdekur e ëma. Në këtë mënyrë, ajo dëshiron ta falenderojë dhe t’i shprehë mirnjohje. Pasi kërkon me orë të tëra që ta blejë dhuratën e duhur për të, ajo më në fund e gjen, ku edhe fillojnë gjithë vështirësitë e saj.

“Ky është një rrëfim se ku mund të na çojë imagjinata e një fëmije. Një rrëfim që na tregon se të jesh fëmijë dhe të mos kesh asgjë por me pafajësinë dhe mendjemprehtësinë mund ta zotrojë botën! Të pakten, një argjendar!” shtoi Fisnik Muji.

Nga: Ermira Babamusta, Ph.D., New York

Filmi Agon u shtua në listën e filmave më të mirë për vitin 2013, realizim i përkryer i regjizorit të shquar Robert Budina. Filmi luhet me mjeshtëri nga aktori i ri Guljem Kotori i cili u vlerësua me çmimin “Aktori më i mirë” (Best Actor Award) në Festivalin e Filmit “Bloody Hero International Film Festival” në Arizonë, SH.B.A. Festivali u mbajt në shkurt 2013 dhe ceremonia e ndarjes së shpërblimeve ishte me 10 shkurt. Filmi Agon fitoi çmimin “Filmi më i Mirë” (Best of Fest) me produksion të Era Film, Shqipëri.

“Ky çmim duket sikur erdhi nga hiçi sepse ishte fare i papritur dhe nuk e prisja që filmi të vlersohej maksimalisht me çmimet më të mëdha të festivalit. Kam parë në garë ishin pjesa më e madhe filma amerikanë dhe shpresat për një çmim dukeshin fare të vogla. Anëtarët e jurisë dhanë të gjithë votën maksimale dhe kjo më ka bërë të ndihem shumë mirë dhe të rihap edhe njëherë projektet për të ardhmen. Mendoj se Guljem Kotori që fitoi çmimin si Aktori më i Mirë është një talent i ri që dhe në filma të tjerë do të tregojë se ky çmim nuk ishte aspak rastësi për të. Edhe në raste të tjera ai është vlerësuar nga njerëz të ndryshëm të industrisë së filmit që kanë parë filmin Agon,” tha regjizori i njohur Robert Budina.     

“Ishte e pa pritur dhe një surprizë shumë bukur për mua. Ky vlerësim më bëri të ndihem mirë për atë çka unë kam bërë në filmin Agon. Gjithashtu ky çmim më ka bërë të jem këmbëngulës akoma më shumë në karierën time si aktor dhe pse nuk kam bërë një shkollë për aktrin dhe nuk po e bëj momentalisht,” u shpreh aktori i talentuar Guljem Kotori.

“Eksperienca në filmin Agon ishte më e bukura ekzperiencë që unë kam pasur deri tani në jetë, në shumë aspekte. Kjo eksperiencë ka qenë si një shkollë për mua, më ka mësuar shumë gjera mbi filmin, mbi aktrimin. Falë aktorëve profesionistë që unë kisha në krahë, me në krye regjizorin Robert Budina dhe falë punës parapregatitore që ne kemi bërë, më  kanë mësuar shumë rreth aktrimit dhe filmit,” shtoi Guljem Kotori.

Filmi u realizua në Selanik dhe në Kapshticë të Korçës. Rolet kryesore luhen nga aktorët e talentuar: Antonis Kafetzopulos, Guljem Kotori, Isabella Kogevina, Xhevdet Jashari, Eglantina Cenomeri, Laert Vasili dhe Marvin Tafaj (www.agonfilm.com).

Filmi Agon ishte përzgjedhje zyrtare në Festivalin Ndërkombëtar të Filmit në Cikago (Chicago International Festival Film). Gjithashtu, filmi Agon është përzgjedhur në garën zyrtare të festivalit Bifest të Barit, një nga festivalet më të rëndësishme në Itali. Filmi u shfaq me 20 mars 2013 në orën 18:30 në teatrin Petruzelli. Menjëherë pas tij, në orën 20:30, Adriano Çelentano, këngëtari i njohur italian mori çmimin e karrierës si aktor. Njëkohësisht, filmi Agon është zgjedhur në festivalin South East European Film Festival, në Los Angeles, Sh.B.A., një festival shumë i rëndësishëm për Hollivudin dhe industrinë e filmit amerikan, që fillon në maj 2013.

“Ndërkohë po presim përgjigje nga shumë festivale të tjera ku kemi aplikuar. Njëkohesisht filmi u shfaq në kinematë greke ku u prit shumë mirë, kam marrë shumë mesazhe nga publiku grek që e ka pëlqyer filmin. Filmi në pjesën më të madhe është pritur me shumë entuziazëm por nuk kanë munguar rastet kur ka pasur edhe reagime të forta kundër tij. Mendoj se kjo ndodh për faktin që filmi është shumë provokativ. Shumë festivale që kanë dashur të marrin fillimisht më pas kanë hequr dorë sepse filmi ka skena të forta dhune dhe nuk është i lehtë të “përtypet” nga audienca sidomos ajo europiane. I jemi afruar shumë festivaleve të mëdha si Kane, Venecia, Berlin dhe Tribeca por jemi eliminuar gjithmonë në çastet e fundit të perzgjdhjes,” tregon regjizori i filmit Agon, Robert Budina.

Eksklusive: Intervistë me regjizorin Robert Budina

Bisedoi Ermira Babamusta

Çfarë ju bën më shumë krenar për filmin Agon?  

Robert Budina: Fakti që Shqipëria ishte vendi lider i produksionit dhe që udhëhoqi një projekt ku ishin vende si Rumania, Greqia dhe Franca dhe që në këtë projket kishim dy Palma të Arta të Kanes, producentin rumun Daniel Burlac që fitoi në 2007 me filmin e Mungiut 4 Javë, 3 ditë e 2 net, dhe drejtorin e fotografisë, Marius Panduri, i cili ka fituar Palmën e Artë me filmin  12.08 Bukuresh me 2006. Jam krenar që dhe ne mund të realizojmë projekte me një rëndësi të tillë.

Personalisht ishte maksimumi që mund të arrij, të punoj në grup më bën të shprehem në maksimumin tim dhe natyrisht më pasuron eksperienca të reja jete. Profesonalisht arritja e përfundimit të një projekti të tillë relativisht të madh më ka hapur horizonte të reja që më parë nuk njihja. Por për mua të kem mundësi të punoj me kameraman dhe aktorët dhe të realizoj idetë e mija me anë të tyre dhe trupës është maksimumi që një krijues mund të ëndërrojë.

Cili është mesazhi për audiencat që shikojnë filmin Agon?

Robert Budina: Që shqiptarët nuk janë kriminelë, janë njerëz të sakrificave, të cilët kanë energji shumë pozitive brenda tyre; që kanë guxim të përballen edhe me fenomenet negative për të cilat kombe të tjera mbase me të drejtë i paragjykojnë; që familja për ta është gjëja më e shtrenjtë dhe për të cilën ata do të bënin sakrificat më të mëdha.

Regjizori Robert Budina

Filmi Agon tregon historinë e një familje shqiptare që integrohet në shoqërinë greke. Si e paraqesin kulturën shqiptare dy karakteret kryesore të filmit, Saimiri dhe Vini për grekët ?

Robert Budina: Saimiri ka trashëguar nga familja e tij kujdesin që prindërit kanë për fëmijët, që vëllezërit dhe motrat e mëdhenj kanë për ata më të vegjël, kujdesin që pjestarët e saj kanë ndaj njëri-tjetrit. Dikur familja shqiptare ka qenë shumë e fortë dhe e lidhur, vlera të cilat sot mungojnë në familjen perëndimore, ku shumë më tepër rëndësi merr individi se sa forca e familjes.

Duke qenë se babai i tyre ( i Saimirit dhe Vinit) ka vdekur, shpejt Saimirit i është dashur të bëhet babai i vëllait të vogël dhe të kujdeset gjithmonë për të. Janë pikërisht këto veti të tij që kanë bërë përshtypje tek e dashura greke e Saimirt, Elektra, dhe babai i saj, Niko, i cili sheh tek Saimiri strehën e sigurtë të vajzës së tij. Ndaj dhe Saimiri jo vetëm është integruar shpejt në Greqi, por edhe mjaft i vlerësuar nga të gjithë shokët e miqtë që ka atje. Nuk është e njejta gjë për Vinin, i cili duke qenë artist dhe adoleshent, pasi i vëllai ka ikur në Greqi ku po përpiqet të ndërtojë familjen e tij të re, ndihet i lënë pas dore. Ai mendon se vjerri i tij grek e tërheq prej hunde dhe i kontrollon jetën dhe që Saimiri për shkak të fejuarës se tij është servil ndaj vjerrit dhe grekërve në përgjithësi. Këto e bëjnë të jetë i ftohtë ndaj familjes së re të Saimirit në Greqi dhe për rrjedhojë refuzon të integrohet në realitetin e tij të ri në Greqi.

Shpesh të gjendur vetëm mes një realiteti të ftohtë për familjet e emigruara dalin në pah edhe më shumë tradita dhe zakonet e vendit të tyre të origjinës. Nëse do të merrja shembull familjet e shqiptarëve për mua ato janë objekt sutdimi në botë sepse arrijnë me një lehtësi të jashtëzakonisht të madhe të integrohen pa harruar për asnjë çast kulturën e tyre. Mjafton të përmendësh familjet arbëreshe që jetojnë në Itali sot të emigruara para rreth 500  vjetësh.

Sa mirë pranohet familja shqiptare në Greqi? A ështe e natyrale trazicioni apo i vështirë për të gjetur balancin midis dy kulturave?

Robert Budina: Saimiri është pranuar më së miri, madje ai mund të ishte modeli i çdo babai grek për t’i besuar bijën, pasi ishte i përgjegjshëm, i sakrificës, i dashur, punvtor, i respektueshëm. Ndërsa Vini duke paragjykuar pjesën greke të realitetit të vëllait tëtij, refuzohet dhe paragjykohet nga vetë pjesa greke. Duke u ndjerë i lënë pas dore ai do të përpiqet t’i tregojë vëllait se sai  zoti është të bëjë vetë në jetë, pa ndihmën e tij. Për Simirin, integrimi është shumë natyral dhe i natyrshëm, pasi ai është kokëulur dhe bën gjithçka të nxjerrë në pah vlerat më pozitive të shoqërisë shqiptare. Ndërsa Vini, si rezultat i ndjeshmërisë së tij të lart prej artisti dhe moshës adoleshtente, ka nxjerr në pa temperamentin dhe energjinë e papërmbajtshme të një të riu në autovërtetim, dhe përpiqet të ngrihet mbi realitetin e vendit ku ka shkuar të jetojë.

Shqiptarët janë shumë mendje hapur dhe në pjesën më të madhe kanë arritur shumë mirë të integrohen. Mendoj se në origjinë shqiptarët janë një popull emigrant në vazhdimësi, sepse kane qenë të pritur ta shohin të ardhmen e tyre jashtë vendit të origjinës. Kjo ka ndodhur që në kohët e lashta dhe vazhdon edhe sot e kësaj dite, por mrekullia qëndron në faktin që ata nuk i kanë humbur kurrë kontaktet me kulturën dhe traditat e tyre. Në këtë pikë mendoj se janë unikale në historinë botërore.

Në këtë lloj situate, si e ruan njeriu identitetin, por arrin të integrojë në kulturën e re, pa harruar se kush janë?

Robert Budina: Saimiri përpiqet të mbajë një ekuilibër ndërmjet familjes së re greke që përfaqëson të ardhmen e tij, dhe familjes së tij shqiptare që përfaqëson tashmë të shkuarën e tij ose më së miri rrënjët e ij. Ky ekulibër nuk është i thjeshtë, pasi për t’u martuar me një greke i duhet të ndërrojë fenë dhe emrin në mënyrë që të pranohet nga komuniteti grek. Ai bën ç’është e mundur që t’ja arrijë kësaj ndaj edhe kur mbërrin nga Shqipëria familja e xhaxhait në hall për operacionin e tij, ai bëhet copë për ta ndihmuar, duke u futur në konflikt me vjerrin e tij grek. Ky i fundit nuk do t’i hapen probleme me klandestinë shqiptarë në shtëpinë e tij. Në këtë pikë Saimiri ndihet i plagosur, por megjithatë përpiqet përsëri t’i kalojë vështirësitë dhe të mos lerë pas dore asnjërën nga dy familjet e tij.

Si e ruajnë këtë ekulibër Saimiri dhe Vini në filmin Agon?  

Robert Budina: Saimiri përpiqet të mbajë ekulibrin duke u kujdesur si për familjen e xhaxhait, ashtu edhe duke u dhënë pas të fejuarës së tij greke, pa harruar punën e vështirë që bën si mekanik në oficinën e vjerrit të tij grek. Pra ai përpiqet të përballojë si pjesën fizike të problemit por edhe atë psikologjike të tij. Ndërsa Vini mendon se integrimi i tij do të jetë shsumë më i shpejtë nëse ai bëhet zot i vetes nga ana fianciare ndaj dhe kërkon të bejë lek në mënyrë të shpejtë dhe të paligjshme duke u marrv me trafik dokumentash me ndihmën e Benit, një trafikant shqiptar që e bën prej vitesh këtë punë. Ai mendon se pamvarësia ekonomike do ti japë shansin të ndërtojë jetën ashtu si ka dëshrië dhe njëkohësisht të mos lerë pas dore pasionin e madh që ka për pikturën.

Nga pikpamja e regjizorit cilat paragjykime doni të rrëzoni me këtë film?

Robert Budina: Që nuk ka kombe të kategorisë së parë e të dytë, që pavarësisht diferencimeve kulturore midis vendeve me zhvillim të ndryshëm ekonomik e social, qënja njeri është kudo njëlloj dhe duhet të trajtohet e tillë. Që krimi nuk ka kombësi, që krimi nuk ka shihet në mënyrë sipërfaqësore, që për ta kuptuar atv duhet një vështrim më i tellë mbi fenomenin; që një kriminel duhet kuptuar në veprimet e tij në mënyrë që të kesh mundësi ta parashikosh, që shpesh njerës në vështirësi të mëdha jetese në mënyrë të papritur mund të kthehen në kriminelë.

Çfarë tregon filmi Agon për vështirësitë në jetë? 

Robert Budina: Zgjidhja e çdo vështirësie është një familje e shëndoshë, pavarësisht kontradiktave.

THE ALBANIAN CINEMA PROJECT PRESENTS

Premiere Restoration of Nëntori i Dytë (The Second November)

US Premiere of The Land of Eagles

Join us for an unforgettable evening that will open a window on the world of Albanian Cinema

DATE: Friday, March 29, 2013

TIME: 7pm to 11pm

PLACE: Directors Guild of America (DGA)Theater

   110 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019

   http://www.dga.org/The-Guild/Theaters/New-York/NY-Entrance.aspx

ADVANCE TICKETING REQUIRED (tickets are free of charge) please RSVP to:  events@thealbaniancinemaproject.org

Most films from the East European nation of Albania have rarely been screened outside of the country.  The Albanian Cinema Project’s (ACP) newly launched preservation initiative is changing this fact, bringing this ‘new’ national cinema to international screens.

ACP’s digital restoration of Viktor Gjika’s (1937-2009) patriotic drama Nëntori i Dytë (The Second November, 1982) was completed in time to celebrate the centennial of Albanian independence from Ottoman rule.

It premiered to a packed house at the 13th Festival of Albanian Film in Tirana, on November 3, 2012.  And now, Gjika’s socialist realist epic, restored by Colorlab Corp., will play to US audiences with English subtitles.

Be part of the first American audiences to watch Nëntori i Dytë and to hear firsthand accounts of film production in Albania from the communist era till today from the country’s award-winning director Fatmir Koci (Tirana Year Zero (2001), The Land of Eagles (2007), Time of the Comet (2008), Albanian American producer Donika Bardha (The Land of Eagles) and Albanian American filmmaker and ACP board member Thomas Logoreci.

Director Fatmir Koci’s The Land of Eagles is a sweeping archival chronicle of Albania’s turbulent 20^th century history. Working with producer Donika Bardha, Koci combed Albania’s endangered Central State Film Archive to produce this compelling documentary filled with historical footage never before seen by Western audiences.

The brilliant voice-over narration spoken by Michael York was written by Albania’s Nobel nominated, Man Booker International Prize-winning novelist Ismail Kadare.  The Land of Eagles is an extraordinary glimpse into the Balkan nation’s 100-year history of statehood and 100-year history of cinema.

ACP Director Regina Longo will also be on hand to answer questions about the ongoing preservation and restoration initiatives to help preserve and restore Albania’s cinematic heritage.

Milan – Bridgestone’s MotoGP™ Promotional film is an exciting journey full of adrenaline and imagination for riders of today and tomorrow. Bridgestone, the world’s largest tire manufacturer and official tire provider for the MotoGP™ since 2009, presents the Bridgestone MotoGP™ Promotional Film – 2013: an exciting video that perfectly reflects the tagline’s values: Bridgestone – Your Journey, Our Passion.

A journey into Bridgestone essence through two stories full of the same passion. One the one hand, MotoGP™ champions, the atmosphere full of excitement in the paddock and at the starting grid, the overwhelming adrenaline during the last lap and the happiness of crossing the finish line. On the other hand, the same feelings, made up of energy, adrenaline and joy in a child’s eye while he’s playing with his toy-bike, dreaming of becoming, one day, a champion.

Bridgestone has always paid great attention to all drivers’ needs and it is always on the lookout for new, innovative and engaging ways of supporting its customers’ journeys on the road and is proud to support each MotoGP™ rider in his journey to success. Bridgestone’s mission is to give a global support to its customers with superior quality products and services and offer them tires made with the same care and regard to details of those dedicated to MotoGP™ pro-riders.

About Bridgestone South Region
Bridgestone Italia S.p.a. is the coordination offices of Bridgestone South Region, one of the 6 regions which gather together the European societies of Bridgestone’s group. Bridgestone South Region consists of 12 countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Kosovo, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia with over 200 employees. Bridgestone’s Business Group counts 13.000 operative employees at research and development center and 8 plants. Bridgestone Corporation with headquarters in Tokyo, is the first worldwide manufacturer of tires and rubber materials / Daniela Martinez, & Francesca Motta

New York – Whether she is portraying dramatic roles, realistic characters, plot-driven adventures, ass-kicking scenes or flirtatious sexy roles the super-talented Mai Duong Kieu can do it all. She is considered as one of the greatest female actresses and leading martial artists the entertainment history has ever seen, taking Germany by storm and now emerging in USA. Acclaimed for her nuanced intense portrayal of the central character, combined with her tremendous focus and always developing her craft through training, the multi-talented Mai Duong Kieu is truly a director’s dream. Mai Duong Kieu deserves “Best Actress” for her outstanding performance in “Wir sind jung. Wir sind stark” (We are young, we are strong, 2013) and “Best Female Performance” for her incredible fighting skills in the great action film “Roughtown“.

“Acting has given me the opportunity to feel, to live lives I am not able to live in real life. And i can’t stop doing it. The kick I get when the director says “that’s exactly it” is like a drug to me, as well as giving concerts and writing songs with my band. I think I am a mixture of a (soul) exhibitionist and a good observer and joyful dreamer,” said the talented actress/singer Mai Duong Kieu.

“A strong woman is not only free and independent, but also has strong character. I see myself on the way to becoming one. I’m glad I get my job well done and that I stand 100% behind my arts, that I have self esteem because of my skills but also the way I treat people. Strength is also goodness for me,” she added.

Actress Mai Duong Kieu (Photo by Patrick Schanz)

Early Life: Kung Fu Teacher at age 10

Mai Duong Kieu was born on February 1987 in Bác Ninh, a small town in North Vietnam. She lived in the capital, Hanoi until age 5 with her mother, while her father was working in Germany. Then in 1992 they moved to East Germany, Chemnitz, where they lived for 12 years. Mai’s father, Master Nam founded a martial arts school in Germany in 1991, specializing in firm combat education/training, choreography and traditional weapons (Kung Fu School Master Nam www.kungfu-chemnitz.com).

Mai started her martial arts education at age 5 and by age 10 she was already teaching Kung Fu. As a skilled martial arts teacher Mai learned to take responsibility at a very young age.

“I was born in a small town in North Vietnam. My father went to Germany when i was 18 months. He had a contract with the former GDR as a “Guest-worker”. I moved to the capital (Hanoi) when I was 3 Years old and stayed there with my mother until I was 5. Then mother and I moved to Germany to reunite the family (1992). I got to know my father once again and my martial arts education started. I started teaching kungfu when I was 10 years old and had to take responsibility very early.

Shaolin Kung Fu Chemnitz (founded by Master Nam ) www.kungfu-chemnitz.com

In 2004 Mai and family moved to Leipzig, where they opened the second Kung Fu School. Mai trained hard with her father, who served as her martial arts master in Shaolin Kung Fu. Mai developed her personal attributes through martial arts training and gained a deeper understanding of its traditional values of respect, honor, integrity and loyalty. She learned to be disciplined, fearless, persistent, modest and developed a sense of social responsibility early on in her life.  Mai Duong Kieu is highly respected as a combat sport teacher and is considered as one of the best female martial artists.

“Martial Arts helped me to concentrate and focus more easily. I am trained in memorizing, realizing learned processes real quick. MA is not only an ancient arts and culture, it was my education. Discipline is the key. To be fearless, to keep calm, to be persistent, to be modest, etc. All the virtues that got lost in my/our generation. And all these principles are a tremendous help on the set during a movie shoot. Being fit (mentally and physically) means everything. I played a role in a martial arts short movie this year “Roughtown” where i could show my fighting skills for the first time! It’s like a dream come true!” said martial arts teacher Mai Duong Kieu.

“My father is also my master. Starting at the age 5 I didn’t really have a choice but to do martial arts. There were times when I would have loved to go to ballet lessons instead or just do random girls stuff. But on the other hand I liked doing it because I was talented and everybody was looking up to me as “the daughter of the master”. I enjoyed my status and did everything to be worth it,” she added.

Watch Mai Duong Kieu: Kung Fu Short Video:  www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=o75Yq7FyNPI#at=46

Performing Arts: Dance, Theatre, Pop Singer

Mai Duong Kieu always loved to sing, dance and perform ever since she was a young little girl. Mai’s first theatre role was in 2000 where she performed at the prestigious German theatre, “Städtisches Theater Chemnitz”. She played an angel defeating Mephistos army in Goethe‘s famous play, “Faust”. The play was directed by Adam Hanuszkiewicz. Since 2005 Mai Duong Kieu has trained extensively as an actress in drama schools in Leipzig and Berlin in Germany. She has received professional acting lessons from the amazing coach Jacqueline Roussety in Berlin. In 2012 Mai completed a 6-months study abroad program in France, where she worked in a musical/dancing school in Nice to improve her French and acting skills.

Mai Duong Kieu fell in love with the stage when she gave her first solo performance at only 8 years old. At age 19 the talented and ambitious Mai entered a dance studio and has trained in a variety of dance styles, jazz, hip hop, showdance and oriental dance.

“I always loved to sing and dance but never got the education because of the difficult financial situation. I had my first solo singing performance at the age of 8 in front of my whole school. I loved the stage,” said singer, performer Mai.

Singer Mai, Lead Singer of Testdrive Band (Photo by Jörg Lange)

Mai Duong Kieu is the lead singer of the pop group “Testdrive”. The band was founded in 2007 and has four members: Mai (Vocals), Leo (Guitar), Christian (Drums/Vocals) and Hirschi (Bass). The music band “Testdrive” has performed in well-known music festivals in Germany. The band’s 2012 Live Tour across Germany was as hit among music fans of rock, R&B, pop and electro.  The group is currently rehearsing for the next tour and is working on new original songs for their debut album to be released in 2014.

Singer/songwriter Mai is gaining great reputation and is emerging as one of the finest pop singers. Her hit songs include: “Saw you again” (2011), “New” (2011), “100 degrees”, (2012), and “Superhero” (2012).

Testdrive Band

Singer Mai (Photo by Martin Neuhof)

Acting Career

Mai Duong Kieu started her career in acting as a theatre artist. She then ventured into full-time acting in Film and TV.  Mai’s first scene in a documentary was in 2009 in “Mit Schere und Kamm” directed by Nils Felber, where she was the model portraying the luxury hairdresser’s profession. Mai Duong Kieu has starred in a series of short films and has appeared in popular television series including:  “Vi cuoc song” (2009), a Vietnamese series in O2 TV and “Cupbabes” (2013), a sitcom series pilot directed by Felix Bärwald set for September 2013, where Mai will play the lead role.

Other short film performances include: “Thomas aus WG 4” (2011) directed by Daniel Scheier; lead role in the drama “Entwurzelt” (eng. Uprooted, 2012) directed by a Duc Ngo Ngoc; lead role in “Für meinen Vater” (eng. For my Father, 2012) directed by Thi Lan Anh Nguyen; lead role in the action drama “Das Meer im Fernseher” (eng. The Ocean on TV, 2013) directed by Dimitri Tsvetkov and “Roughtown” (2013) directed by award-winning Gabriele Heberling.

Taking on a great dramatic role, Mai appeared in “Für meinen Vater” (eng. For my Father, 2012). This short film is directed by Thi Lan Anh Nguyen, a great and innovative Vietnamese director from the elite film academy Ludwigsburg. Mai Duong Kieu played Mai, an educated woman, former teacher in Vietnam, who after the war is unable to practice her profession. She never knew the identity of her biological father, and got to know another man whom she looked after and became like father.

Taking on an adventurous part, Mai appeared in “Das Meer im Fernseher” (eng. The Ocean on TV, 2013), a captivating action drama directed by the talented Dimitri Tsvetkov of the elite film academy Ludwigsburg. “Das Meer im Fernseher” tells the story of a paranoid retired secret agent in North Korea who wanted to start a new life.

Mai played lead role Doloress, portraying one of the ex-killer sisters, who had to kill Commander Kim Jong Il. The plot twists when the sisters and the American agent (who is worried the sisters will take revenge on him for killing the commander), find out they are all on the same side.

On the set of “The Ocean on TV, Actress Mai Duong Kieu with Korean actress Kotti Yun (Photo by Maik Bolbeth)

Mai Duong Kieu with cameraman Jan-Marcello Kahl

Breakthrough Role

Actress Mai Duong Kieu (Photo by Patrick Schanz)

Mai Duong Kieu was given the leading role in the beautiful short movie “Entwurzelt” (eng. Uprooted) where she gave a star-making performance. The film is a powerful emotional drama, directed by the amazing and talented Vietnamese director Duc Ngo Ngoc. Entwurzelt is based on a true story that deals with a taboo subject in Germany, “deportation”.

Mai Duong Kieu plays a 20-year-old Vietnamese high school student, My-Linh Nguyen, whose family lives in Germany and is threatened to be torn apart. The superb portrayal of Mai Duong Kieu’s character in this film gives a deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological state of the young girl in despair. Mai’s heart-wrenching break-through performance in “Entwurzelt” is one of her best performances and is a testament to her ability to tackle the film’s lead role.

Career Highlights

Mai Duong Kieu continues to take on a variety of interesting roles, such as “the Korean girl”, in “Willa” (2013), an important role for the film to complete Steven King’s masterpiece.  Willa is a short story written by award-winning author Stephen King, for his short-fiction collection called “Just After Sunset”.

The short film depicts an intriguing story of a man in search of his fiance, Willa at the train station. He discovers that he, Willa and the passengers in a train are actually ghosts, dead from a train-wreck that happened 20 years ago.

Mai’s debut in a martial arts movie is in the 2013 action-packed “Roughtown”, directed by the visionary award-winning Gabriele Heberling. Roughtown is a shortfilm that combines tragicomedy with two-fisted martial arts, with incredible fight scenes choreographed by the internationally known martial artist/actor Eskindir Tesfay. The film will air spring 2014 and is talked about as one of the best and influential movies in martial arts cinematography.

Mai plays a member of the bad guys the “Kid”, who wants to show off her kick-ass moves and fighting skills. Mai earned her reputation as one of the greatest martial artists through sophisticated moves. She shows off her impressive level of martial arts ability and fearsome skills in the great fight scenes of “Roughtown”.

Mai Duong Kieu gave a brilliant performance as “Thao” in “Wir sind jung. Wir sind stark” (eng. We are young, we are strong, 2013) directed by the successful Burhan Qurbani. Burhan Qurbani won the gold medal for best new director for his notable work “Shahada” at the Chicago International Film Festival, which was also nominated for the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.

In “We are young, we are strong” Mai Duong Kieu plays a young pregnant woman (Thao) who fears about her life and the future of her family in an unstable Germany torn apart by mob attacks against the migrant workers. The neonazis attack a refugee shelter with Vietnamese workers and the police were reluctant to respond. The movie depicts story of the violent riots that took place in 1992 in Rostock, Germany from the perspective of the neonazis, the Vietnamese workers and the politicians.

Upcoming roles include appearances in the new TV series pilot “Cupbabes” directed by Felix Bärwald set for September 2013. Mai will play a 29 year old tough leader of a burlesque group (Tiffany Pfirsich), who loves tattoos, gambling and leads a promiscuous lifestyle. Mai’s interpretation of the character gives the movie more edge, sex appeal and fun.

Actress Mai Duong Kieu,
Photo by Martin Neuhof

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Useful Links:

http://www.alexander-pat.de/MDKieu.htm

https://www.facebook.com/pages/TestDrive/362879557108160

https://www.facebook.com/MaiDuongKieuFans

New York – Collaborators Julia Bachmann and Anette Kraska are co-producing the new sitcom „Cupbabes“, expected to air this Halloween on German TV stations.  The show is written by the amazing Julia Bachmann and directed by the great Felix Bärwald . Besides bringing comedy, excitement, controversy and sexiness, the sitcom also brings an important factor, a diverse cast. Unlike previous characters in mainstream movies where ethnicity is portrayed in a negative lens, usually by using offensive ethnic stereotypes, in Cupbabes the diverse actors play important and fun roles.

Producer and Team Cupbabes

Cupbabes is promising with two charming lead babes, Genija Rykowa (Kris) and Vanessa Jung (Frieda). The new sitcom lineup may have the best cast: Golo Euler (David), Mai Duong Kieu (Tiffany), Eva-Maria Reichert (Betty), Simon Pearce (Kitty), Christiane Bärwald (Twinker) and ALEX: Matthias Fröhlich (Alex). We anticipate the pilot to be a big hit this fall and expect the first season to gain popularity in Germany.

Actress Mai Duong Kieu as Tiffany Cupbabes

“In September I will play Tiffany in the pilot for the new sitcom ‘Cupbabes’ in Münich. I play the full tattooed leader of a burlesque group. I am very excited about it! Being sexy is more difficult than being fierce. And that’s what teases me. A new challenge!,”  stated the talented actress Mai Duong Kieu, who is also starring in “Roughtown” and “Wir sind jung. Wir sind stark”.

The show centers on the relationship between two sisters, Kris and Frieda, who try to maintain a happy and relatively normal life. The filmmakers are optimistic that everyone will identify with the show given its wide range of topics. The fans are itching to see the pilot come out this fall.

In this exclusive interview author/showrunner Julia Bachmann and producer of Frieder Film Anette Kraska discuss with Prishtina Press Newspaper their exciting new project – Cupbabes.

Exclusive Interview with CUPBABES creators, Julia Bachmann and  Anette Kraska

Prishtina Press: What inspired the creation of Cupbabes?

Julia Bachmann:  “Cupbabes” is a traditional sitcom, so entertainment is priority number one! As an author – I like making people laugh, it makes life much more enjoyable to everybody. The characters are exaggerated as in any sitcom. This is the fun part about the “CupBabes”. We can go crazy! No more drama please!

Anette Kraska: For me the reason to produce “Cupbabes” was, that I have never seen such a unique and funny story suitable for big audiences. Also our main characters are so special, they fit into every living room and already have cult-status. When Vanessa our co-producer and one of the leading actresses (Frieda) introduced me to the project I was convinced right away. Strong female characters, naughty jokes and true family business – this is what the best stories are made of.

Prishtina Press: What is the message behind the new sitcom Cupbabes?

Julia Bachmann: It is the story of two sisters, separated when they were teenagers and now life forces them to move in together. Frieda, the elder one, is a catholic “hardliner” who truly believes and sticks to catholic morals and rules. Kris, the younger one, never really grew up. She lives a free and chaotic lifestyle. What happens happens and we deal with it if necessary. Trouble and funny conflicts are inevitable.

The message behind “Cupbabes”: there is no wrong or right way!. Getting along is all that matters. Accept the people as they are. Stop patronizing everybody and be true to yourself. Also an interesting aspect, quite a philosophic one: freedom… Can we really deal with it? If we have no boundaries and limits what keeps us grounded?  How do we deal with too much freedom, is there such thing as too much freedom.

Anette Kraska: Frieda and Kris are very good role models for our generation, that is always looking for stability. One by making very strong rules and restrictions and the other one by accepting none of those. Both have to find out, that these are very limiting concepts.

Julia Bachmann: Inspiration? Life itself. All you have to do is look behind the curtains, listen and observe closely. We are surrounded by good stories. We just have to tell them.

Prishtina Press: How do the female lead roles appear in the sitcom and how have they evolved from the traditional sense?

Julia Bachmann: The Babes are free minded women, who love to play with their sexappeal. They don’t take themselves too serious. They have got everything we would like to have. They master trouble different than we usually do: coolly, naturally and with a twinkle in the eye. (Well, at least the Babes do, Frieda is more like us).

Anette Kraska: I wrote my Bachelor Thesis on the role of women in the movies (over the past 50 years) and found some quite shocking answers… but within the past years there has been a change. Women in movies and series become more self-determined, braver and funnier. This is all combined in our “Cupbabes”, these women can take care of themselves, they enjoy being women and hell they know the benefits of that.

JB & AK: This is one reason why we have chosen Felix Bärwald as a director. He is not bending the female characters, he understands them and can give them a great depth and humor. His male point of view was also important for the bigger perspective. Having worked as an actor himself, he has a very intense and creative approach towards the characters and it is great working with him. We are lucky to have found a man who understands the “Cupbabes” like he does and works so affectionate with them.

Prishtina Press: Tell us about the casting process. What were you looking when casting the actors for Cupbabes?

Julia Bachmann: We were looking for Ladies! Women who are self assure and playful. Most beautiful young women are very insecure about their body and looks. Even if they have a size 0?! Sad but true. A Babe needs to be comfortable with herself. Only than a woman gets that certain aura, that special something that makes her attractive. A woman who loves herself and accepts herself is fascinating. Our cast (female) has all this! Even our “ugly duckling” Frieda.

Often actors with foreign background are casted for crime shows in Germany. Very often they play victims or gang members etc. I was excited to give the Babes an “exotic” touch and play with the expectation of the audience! Mai Duong Kieu will not perform as the stereotype shy Asian girl. She is Tiffany Peach, a tough woman you don’t want to get in trouble with. Tiffany is the boss of the Babes. Snappy, sharp and confident. Or Simon Pearce a German-African actor. He is not the usual “suspect in a murder case”. He is our boylesque!

Anette Kraska: We have a wonderful “cage aux folles” here… a dream ensemble for every producer. Because there is so much to love about all the different characters. For Mai/Tiffany it was very important to have a strong woman and I am sure we found that. We also have Eva-Maria, she is a very sensitive and passionate woman and can play all that in the role of Betty. Vanessa makes Frieda a star, because she is not afraid of the looks, but enjoys filling such a white-bread, frumpy character with life.

Melody d’Amour Burlesque Cupbabes

Prishtina Press: When will the series air?

Anette Kraska: We are shooting two episodes of the series in Aug/Sep 2013 at the famous Bavaria Film Studios in Munich, where for example “das Boot” has been filmed. We expect to air it this coming Halloween. By doing this we are taking a very unusual step in German film- and television history. We film two episodes and then we are looking for potential partners and channels. Because the “Cupbabes” are so special, we want everybody to not only read the script, but already see them on screen… and then instantly fall in love with them.

Prishtina Press: Explain the lead characters Kris and Frieda. What should we expect from them?

Julia Bachmann: Kris is a child trapped in the body of a woman. Gloriously irresponsible, scatty, charming, juicy, curious and very open minded. Wasn’t it all easy and fun when we were kids? When all we needed to have a good time, was our fantasy and friends? Kris managed somehow not to lose her imagination and her naiveté.

She makes money as a Burlesque Dancer. She loves playing different roles: one day “Alice in Wonderland”, sometimes “little red riding hood” and next the “French maid”. Flirting and teasing spices up her day and of course night. She is very loyal, when her sister Frieda asks for help there is no question: Kris helps.

Julia Bachmann: Frieda, single mum and very catholic, neurotic catholic to be true. Religion is her answer to life. It gives her the strength to keep going. But she also hides behind her Christianity and loses her true self. She always comes second, everybody else first! Her son Alex is her one and only. She is overprotective and has strong morals. Honesty is very important to her. She is always under pressure and stress, she can’t let go. She tries to please everybody. Frieda struggles the life of a single mum and responsible adult.

These two ladies have to get along and find their way together. Every day conflict, upbringing of children (Alex), making money, surviving in general- just a few topics in the show.

Anette Kraska: For me there is so much fun in “Cupbabes” because of the mixture of topics. Some we can very much relate to: unfulfilled love, bringing up children, BFF problems and the others so far away: finding drunk politicians on the couch, upgrading your poker skills… things like that.

Cupbabes Main Actresses Jung Rykowa

Prishtina Press: What elements will you bring in this series to keep the audience interested for a more seasons to come?

Julia Bachmann:  We all know calendar mottos such as ” you only got one life- use it” but on a daily basis we do not manage to live up to this standard. The Babes do. And this is why we can identify with them. We all dream about this. Who doesn’t want to be free? Who doesn’t want to feel completed? Be self-assure?

The Babes are ladies- always perfectly styled, always sexy. They celebrate being a woman and have the best time ever!  They get dolled up for their own pleasure not to please others! They are probably women’s libber on the next level. The CupBabes haven’t got any typical male attitudes to get along, they recultivated female ones.

Anette Kraska: One element, that we have to keep the audience interested are the looks. You never know, what you will see Kris in today and which horrifying look Frieda is trying now. We also have little adventures in every episode: David is fighting the typical live of Berlin, Alex is growing up under the influence of Frieda and Kris and you will be surprised, who is coming to visit… so expect the unexpected: just like Kris does.

Julia Bachmann: Burlesque is also a very important element of the series. Women come in different colors. So does Burlesque! It’s not about the perfect shape, getting naked and wrap yourself around the pole.  Burlesque is interacting with the audience in a humorous, flirty way. Getting undressed with elegance- this could even mean, the only thing a burlesque dancer takes off is a glove. The dancer enjoys the show and so does the audience Here we are supported by Melody d’Amour a lovely Burlesque artist from Munich.

Prishtina Press: How can fans get involved and support your fundraising efforts?

JB & AK: We are financed by crowdfunding and you can find us on www.startnextde/cupabes and www.facebook.de/cupbabes.

Melody d’Amour Burlesque Cupbabes

Filmmakers:

Producer FRIEDER FILM

Anette Kraska & Vanessa Jung

Writer & Showrunner: Julia Bachmann

Director: Felix Bärwald

Cast:

KRIS: Genija Rykowa

FRIEDA: Vanessa Jung

DAVID: Golo Euler (currently shooting in NYC)

TIFFANY: Mai Duong Kieu

BETTY: Eva-Maria Reichert

KITTY: Simon Pearce

TWINKER: Christiane Bärwald

ALEX: Matthias Fröhlich

www.friederfilm.de

www.facebook.com/roughtown (www.movie-do.com)

Roughtown is a tragicomedy-action short film co-produced by Katja Wagner and Eskindir Tesfay, starring the multi-talented Katja Wagner (also the writer of Roughtown) and award-winning actor Ben Braun. It is directed by the amazing Gabriele Heberling, who has made quality films and TV series like “Helicops”.

“Director Gabriele Heberling and I, in my capacity as author and producer, had met in 2011 for the first time. Right from the start we completely agreed on the characters and also Sabrina’s journey. Together with cameraman Torsten Schimmer, my partner Eskindir Tesfay and co-producer Erkan Acar, we agreed that we wanted to portray Sabrina and her world as the complete opposite to the extravagant Roughtown,” stated Katja Wagner, writer, producer and lead actress of Roughtown.

“Gabriele and I laughed about the same parts in the script and immediately connected. Working with her on set was very pleasant and I was impressed by her prudence and technical knowledge. Gabriele was in control of the entire “ship” and navigated it equally safe and flexible into the harbor. Even though we’ve had to go through some bottlenecks during and before the shooting, Gabriele’s always remained her cool and helped us to maneuver through – she’s very passionate but at the same time a professional through and through,” she added.

Director Gabriele Heberling

The film stars heroine Katja Wagner as Sabrina and Cassidy Knight, with lead actor Ben Braun, also playing double role detective Rob Nelson and Marc. Other main character roles include: Nina Reithmeier, Barbara Sotelsek, Sven Gerhardt, Erkan Acar, Selam Tadese, Olgu Caglar, Anja Karmanski, Mai Duong Kieu, etc.

“Shooting Roughtown was a fantastic experience and I feel lucky to be part of this project. The feeling of the film, all the funky characters and the crazy action choreographies made it a very special experience for me. I really have to compliment the producers Katja and Eskindir for consequently and boldly following their vision with the film. The film certainly has some ‘over the top’ elements, doesn’t take itself to serious at times, but is still pulling you in emotionally.

“Director Gabriele Heberling had a very certain style of directing and a very strong image in her head of how she was picturing certain scenes. But she was also open for my suggestions, since I’m the type of actor who wants to involve his own ideas and is open for improvisational elements. I think the combination contributed to the movie in the end,” said the talented lead actor Ben Braun.

Katja Wagner, Lead Actress, Producer, Writer of Roughtown (www.movie-do.com)

The film combines comedy, irony and some fight action for a great production and interesting plot. According to the fight choreographer and director Eskindir Tesfay each fight each scene in Roughtown was individually fitted to the character of the movie.

“I focused more on finding a fighting style that fit the characters and emphasized the overall humor and story of the movie, which mainly was not martial arts related. Since we chose to work with actors instead of stunt people or martial artists, I kept everything simple but effective. All of the actors did a great job, by giving their very best and getting the most out of the training sessions and their practices at home,” said Eskindir Tesfay, producer, fight choreographer/director of Roughtown.

Eskindir Tesfay, Producer, Fight Choreographer of Roughtown (www.movie-do.com)

Roughtown: Synopsis

We meet Sabrina at a time in her life when she can barely take the ongoing humiliations of her sister Larissa and her environment any more – “ridiculous hairdo”, “your food tastes like dish water”, “get lost”… With an afflicted smile Sabrina puts up with it all.

On Wednesdays however, on Wednesdays everything is different! Wednesday is “ROUGHTOWN”-day and Sabrina’s looking forward to it the entire week. The cheesy and action packed cop show, starring macho detective Rob Nelson, makes Sabrina forget her dull life and dream of a better, a just world.

Behind the Scenes of Roughtown (Ben Braun, Eskindir Tesfay)

www.movie-do.com

After she is the victim of an armed robbery, Sabrina has a nervous breakdown and threatens to fall into pieces. Appearing from nowhere her fictional series hero detective Rob Nelson saves her from another precarious situation with a courageous karate kick. Sabrina can’t believe her eyes when her tormentor turns out to be “ROUGHTOWN”- gangster Frankie “the Fish”!

During the next days, Sabrina continuous to live in her dream world, where detective Nelson wipes the floor with everyone who treats her poorly, with undreamed-of consequences! Supposedly protected, she wanders right into a life threatening situation…

Meet the Cast: The Main Characters of Roughtown

Sabrina / Cassidy Knight:

Sabrina is a typical wallflower and everybody tramples on her feelings. Secretly she wants to change and dreams of being a hero, like her role model Detective Rob Nelson – but she’s just not strong enough to dig her heels in. And with an afflicted smile Sabrina puts up with all the humiliations she has to face.

After a traumatic experience things get worse and Sabrina hardly manages to come out of her shell anymore. She creates her own little, just fantasy world and threatens to lose herself in it. Supposedly protected, one day she decides to take action and stumbles into a perilous situation that changes her life.

Katja Wagner

Cassidy Knight is Sabrina’s tough and outgoing alter ego, who teams up with Detective Rob Nelson to clean up the dirty streets of the “Rough towns”. Cassidy is Sabrina’s outlet and emancipation at the same time and appears on the scene whenever Sabrina should but can’t assist Nelson. During the movie she evolves from a sidekick to an independent person and frees Sabrina from her from her shell of fear.

Katja Wagner, Lead Actress, Producer, Writer

Katja Wagner: 

Katja is a martial arts affine actress who successfully completed her education in 2005. Ever since she can be seen in German TV and film projects. Her references include a permanent lead in Comedy Central’s mini series “Kollegium”, as well as guest appearances in TV films such as “Polizeiruf 110″, “Tatort”, “Das Verhängnis” and “Mich gibt’s nur zweimal”. She also acted in the feature films “Frontalwatte”, “Mein und alles” und “Dinosaurier”. For her lead in the short film “Auszeit” Katja received the press prize at the “Landesfilmfestival FILMthuer”.

Rob Nelson / Marc: Rob Nelson is the two-fisted macho Detective of Sabrina’s favorite TV series “Roughtown”. His most dreaded weapon is his k.o. punch. Nelson wipes the dirt out of town and thereby bends the laws whenever necessary. He’s very stubborn and a sore loser, his chief is unable to pair him up with somebody else.

In Sabrina’s dreams, though Nelson is still the relentless cop, he becomes more and more caring and anticipatory, even develops a sense of humor. The lone wolf teams up with Sabrina’s alter ego, Cassidy Knight as soon as she enters the scene.

Marc is the shy and down-home actor who portraits the character Rob Nelson, which is the complete opposite of himself.

Behind the Scenes (Ben Braun and Mai Duong Kieu in Roughtown)

Ben Braun

Ben Braun:

Ben studied acting in New York and regularly works in front of the camera since 2002. His national and international film and TV productions include “Der Baader Meinhof Komplex”, “Jerry Cotton”, “Single by Contract”, “Nina Undercover” and “Countdown – Die Jagd beginnt”. Amongst others Ben was nominated for the “Deutsche Comedy Preis” and awarded with the “Goldener Spatz” and the audience prize of the “Moondance film festival”.

Larissa: Larissa is Sabrina’s sister that dishes her on a daily basis. She’s unhappy with her situation and desperately searching for a rich and handsome man to give her the life she deserves. Larissa is even more insecure than her baby sister, but covers that by making Sabrina small. If she wasn’t such a beast you’d actually feel sorry for her.

Barbara Sotelsek

Barbara Sotelsek:

Barbara is an Austrian actress, currently living in Berlin and popular for her leading parts in the TV series “Hinter Gittern” and “Hand auf’s Herz”. She also appeared in “Cobra 11”, “Kommissar Rex”, “Anna und die Liebe”, “Inga Lindström” and did the German synchronization of “Fringe”.

Frankie “the Fish”:

Frankie is the head of the TV series “Roughtown”’s gang. He is a pompous crook and the permanent opponent of Rob Nelson. Frankie owes his name to his slippery mentality and the fact that nobody knows how many people he has already sent “to the fishes”.

Sven Gerhardt

Sven Gerhardt:

Sven is an educated actor with a background in boxing and dancing. Amongst all the “Roughtown” actors, Sven looks back on the most years in the show business. Already 25 years ago he made his first appearance in a feature film called “Neulich am Deich”. His references furthermore include tv series, -films and features like “Wir wollten auf Meer”, “Wer wenn nicht wir”, “Drei”, “The Gamblers”, “Elbe”, “Video Kings”, “Die Stille nach dem Schuss” and “Curiosity”.

The Filmmakers of Roughtown

Katja Wagner (writer, producer): www.movie-do.com

The martial arts affine and educated actress has an “arts”-graduation and conceived of stories and screen-plays even before she learned how to write. In 2010 she met Eskindir and ever since the “Ying & Yang team” develops and produces Movie-Do’s projects and has worked together in front of and behind the camera. Katja currently develops several scripts and is also involved in all other creative processes and decisions of Movie-Do.

Eskindir Tesfay (producer, fight choreographer and fight director): www.movie-do.com & http://eskindirtesfay.com

The martial artist and actor who founded Movie-Do has a number of action credits, but has always had the ambition to develop and produce his own projects. Because his past work has already included more than just fight choreography, Eskindir often was involved in organizing, initiating and editing. In 2012 he closed the gap between action and film making and officially made Movie-Do a film production with its own martial arts department.

Director Gabriele Heberling and Cameraman Torsten Schimmer

Gabriele Heberling (director): www.gabrieleheberling.de

Since 1984 Gabriele is directing feature and TV films and has made action her area of expertise. Under her direction movies like “Schalker Kreisel”, “Die Kumpel”, as well as features such as “4 Freunde und 4 Pfoten” came into existence. She has been responsible for several episodes of the TV series “Im Namen des Gesetzes”, “Cobra 11″ and “Helicops” and was nominated for the “Deutsche Fernsehpreis”, category “best series, direction” in 1999.

Torsten Schimmer, Cameraman

Torsten Schimmer (cameraman): www.torstenschimmer.com

Torsten successfully completed his studies at the FHTW in Berlin, while working for TV stations SAT1 and Pro7 and doing an internship at the International Academy of Film and Television (IAFT). Here he worked as an in-house cameraman for Bigfoot Entertainment and Fashion TV.

Torsten has done numerous films, commercials and music clips.

__________________________________________________________

Useful links:

Roughtown Crew & Cast:

http://english.crew-united.com/index.asp?show=projectdata&ID=173974

Roughtown on Facebook: www.facebook.com/roughtown

Movie Do Company web: www.movie-do.com

Katja Wagner: www.agenturadam.de/cms/details/katja-wagner.html

Ben Braun: fitz-skoglund.de/actors/ben-braun-2

Barbara Sotelsek: www.actorsgarden.com/actresses/barbara-sotelsek/

Sven Gerhardt: ankebalzer.de/sven-gerhardt

Gabriele Heberling (director): www.gabrieleheberling.de

Torsten Schimmer (cameraman): www.torstenschimmer.com

Eskindir Tesfay http://eskindirtesfay.com

Këtë verë regjizori i talentuar Paul Kurti po punon në një film të ri të zhanrit dokumentar. Me kinematografi të Julie Jira dhe regji të Paul Kurtit, dokumentari sheh Shqipërinë nëpermjet syve dhe historive të fëmijëve që jetojnë në gjendje sociale dhe ekonomike të ndryshme. Dokumentari televiziv është sponcorizuar nga fondacioni Soros. Regjizori Paul Kurti shpreson nëpërmjet këtij dokumentari të ngrejë fonde për të ndihmuar fëmijë dhe familje në Shqipëri që janë në kushte të vështira ekonomike.

Klipi i mëposhtëm është bazuar në historinë e Arzës, një vajze 15 vjecare që jeton në periferi të Tiranës, e cila ka lënë shkollën para katër vitesh, në klasë të 4rt, për shkak të vështirësive ekonomike. Për më shumë vizitoni http://paulkurti.com/

Arza from Paul Kurti on Vimeo.

By: Debbie Fitzgerald and   Fitzgerald Petersen

ONE-OF-A-KIND ZOMBIE OBSTACLE COURSE BASED ON THE NETWORK’S DRAMA SERIES AND ROBERT KIRKMAN’S COMIC BOOK SERIES COMES TO NEW YORK CITY IN OCTOBER

Fans May register for the Event at www.thewalkingdeadescape.com

photo courtesy of www.thewalkingdeadescape.com

(BOSTON, MA) – SEPTEMBER 12, 2013 – AMC joins forces again with Skybound, Robert Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics, and Ruckus Sports for the fourth The Walking Dead Escape (www.thewalkingdeadescape.com). The official zombie obstacle course of The Walking Dead will take place at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City on Sat., Oct. 12, in advance of the fourth season premiere of the The Walking Dead on Sunday, October 13^th at 9pm ET/PT. Skybound and Ruckus Sports brought the first The Walking Dead Escape to San Diego during the 2012 Comic-Con weekend and AMC joined forces for the 2013 The Walking Dead Escape San Diego. The event allows fans to live out the events from the groundbreaking, Emmy® Award-winning and top-rated AMC series, based on Robert Kirkman’s Eisner Award-winning best-selling The Walking Dead comic book series and graphic novels.

The course is open Sat., Oct.12 from 6:45 pm – Midnight. Survivors climb, crawl and slide in an effort to avoid confrontation by hordes of Walkers, while achieving the ultimate adventure on The Walking Dead-themed obstacle course. The Walking Dead Escape is not a race and Survivors are not timed, but the end is near and they must move swiftly. If they’re lucky, Survivors will reach the decontamination zone where their level of infection – if any – will be determined by a confidential military scan. Walkers will be transformed into the undead by professional makeup teams and released on the course to haunt the living.

“Coming off the success of The Walking Dead Escape: San Diego in July, we are excited to continue to bring our fans an even bigger and better experience this fall. As promised, we have upped the ante with celebrated and renowned new partner, AMC,” said Liam Brenner, founder of The Walking Dead Escape and Ruckus Sports. “With AMC’s creative prowess, we are confident that this year’s ‘Escape’ events will be the most action-packed and thrilling yet. We know fan expectations are high and we will deliver beyond their wildest imaginations.”

“The fan reaction to The Walking Dead on AMC has been truly remarkable and exceeded our wildest expectations. As the number one show on television among adults 18-49, this live experience at The Walking Dead Escape allows these passionate and dedicated fans to actually enter the zombie apocalypse. Judging from the popularity and feedback from The Walking Dead Escape at Petco Park during Comic-Con in July, fans are ready for yet another installment of this amazing event, and this time on an aircraft carrier,” said Theresa Beyer, VP of activation and promotion at AMC. “Whether acting as survivors, walkers or spectators, this perilous and immersive attraction allows fans of the show to put themselves in the world they can’t get enough of on Sunday nights on AMC.”

This year The Walking Dead Escape is elevated with new props, scenes and full The Walking Dead experiences. Fans can participate in this epic adventure; as a “Survivor” racing through the zombie-infested evacuation zone with familiar scenes and props from the show and comic book series; or as a “Walker” in the undead horde.

For more information or to register for the event, please visit www.thewalkingdeadescape.com. To view video and photos from July’s event in San Diego go to https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkingDeadEscape. To receive updates about the Zombie Apocalypse, be sure to follow @TDWEscape on Twitter or sign up for the Newsletter! Early registration is strongly recommended, as walk-ups may not be available on event day.

About Robert Kirkman                                                                                                                                  

Robert Kirkman’s success and passionate advocacy for creator-owned comics led him to become the first person invited to become a partner at Image Comics since the company’s inception twenty-one years ago. Kirkman is the creator/writer of the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur and Thief of Thieves. In 2010, Kirkman formed his own Image imprint, Skybound, which publishes his own work and Clone, Ghosted, Invincible Universe and Witch Doctor. Kirkman has earned the respect of the comic, writing and television communities and topped the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels in 2011 and 2012. In April 2012, he took the top five spots on both the hardcover and paperback lists. He’s the creator/executive producer and writer of the hit Emmy® Award-winning television show, AMC’s The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 122 countries and 37 languages. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles are www.Skybound.com  and www.TheWalkingDead.com

About Skybound                                                                                                                            

Skybound is Robert Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics and home to his creator-owned works including his Eisner Award-winning comic book series, The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur and Thief of Thieves. Skybound also develops and fosters other talented writers, creators and artists and publishes their comic book series and graphic novels: Clone, Ghosted, Invincible Universe and Witch Doctor. Since its inception, Skybound has created television shows, merchandise, games (The Walking Dead: Assault iOS app), and entertainment events (The Walking Dead Escape). Skybound’s successes include the comic behind the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC’s The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S., where Kirkman serves as Executive Producer/writer. Kirkman is also developing a new show with FOX International Channels based on his upcoming comic book series set in the world of exorcism. Skybound/Kirkman frequently top the hardcover and paperback bestseller lists. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles are www.Skybound.com and www.TheWalkingDead.com

About AMC
Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original programming, AMC brings to its audience something deeper, something richer, Something More. The network reigns as the only cable network in history ever to win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row, and boasts the most-watched drama series in basic cable history with The Walking Dead. AMC’s original drama series include Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Killing and Hell on Wheels. Its newest series, Low Winter Sun, premiered this summer.  AMC also explores authentic worlds with bold characters through its slate of unscripted original series like Comic Book Men, Small Town Security, Talking Dead, Talking Bad and Freakshow. AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Something More.

About Ruckus Sports, LLC

Ruckus Sports, LLC, an innovator in mass-participatory events, creates compelling, exhilarating outdoor events designed for a wide range of people. Beginning in 2010 with its signature event, “The Ruckus Challenge,” these events reach multiple markets across the country, with thousands of participants from ages 2 to 72 having completed our premier obstacle races. As the creator and producer of “The Walking Dead Escape,” Ruckus continues to demonstrate that extraordinary mass-participatory events can take many forms and appeal to a variety of audiences. Ruckus Sports is a portfolio company of Steel Sports Inc., a network of branded, participatory and experience-based businesses.

Tell us a little bit about you

Roland Uruci: I am a director, writer, producer and actor. I was born in Diber, Macedonia and I came to the US with my family in 1969.  I actually do not remember not living in the US and I was always one that sort of wanted bigger things out life.  I always felt that I needed to create things and have ideas for things. I nothing was off limits to me in the sense that my imagination brought those things to me.

What is your philosophy towards your work and field?

Roland Uruci: When I act I embody the character. I am not trained in any formal sense but, learned on stage with a comedy group that played all of the clubs in NYC.  It taught me to keep trying no matter what, to allow for moments to unfold in front of an audience, to trust myself. Now I have started to go more towards directing and where I am in my life I think I finally feel ready to have that creative control. I see the projects as if they already done when I direct and I am only unveiling then layer by layer.  It is a path of discovery for me and it is an amazing feeling.

Who were your early filmmaking mentors or inspirations?

Roland Uruci:  What inspired me from an early age was old comedy shows from TV.  We were not a wealthy family and my brothers and I slept in the same room for years. When we were young we had a 13” B&W TV that we watched shows like the Honeymooners, I Love Lucy and the Twilight Zone.  These shows made me want to make an audience react.  These shows taught about cinematic rhythm and pacing.  How to think of an out and when to use a joke or pause to heighten a moment.  Almost everything I do is in homage to these first story tellers.

Your current film in a few words.

Roland Uruci: I am currently working on a film titled “Paftuar”, Uninvited in English.  The film is based on the real life experiences of a friend of mine Julian Biba.  Julian left Albania for Greece seeking a better life.  This was during the 1990’s and he was little more than a teenager.  He was soon arrested after crossing the border and went through a living hell.  Even with all that he survived through others were not at lucky. It is a very important story to me and has made Julian and I very good friends as well as grateful that he has trusted to me with his story.  I am hoping to film in Albanian and maintain an entire Albanian cast and crew.

What inspired you to make this film?

Roland Uruci: I am an immigrant myself.  I can understand what it feels like to be outside and being seeing as something foreign and evil when all you may want is a chance for a better life.  Right now there are huge population shifts due to failing economies, wars and political persecution.  Every day people are suffering and being mistreated with no one caring.  The story in Paftuar was something that just spoke to the humanity in me.  On a personal note I also wanted to shoot something in Albania that would make a world impact.

What do you hope audiences take away from this film?

Roland Uruci: I want people to see us at our worst and at our best.  I want people to see this film and be honest with themselves that we need to be better at being people.

Talk about the protagonists and how you developed the characters

Roland Uruci: The character are as true as I could remain in the story.  There is an idealism that Alex and Artur feel as they look for the perfect society in nearby Greece.  They are looking for a place that they can succeed in.  A place that allows them to be more than they ever were.  The Greek soldier on the other side of the border, Palacos, wants a better place as well but, he is willing to sacrifice the freedoms of others so his world as in a way staying pure to what he sees as being Greek.  All of these characters have traits of people I know of as well as what I have read about between these peoples. Writing their words I tried to be them in a way and see what they each saw in the story.

Short Film Toy Soldiers

What are you conscious of when making films? 

Roland Uruci: Films let me get lost in a mindset.  I get so focused that I can hear the conversations of the characters in my head before I shoot anything.  It is an intense feeling of depth and feeling of floating as time stands still.  It is like I am in that very moment.  It never matters how much I rehearse or how many times we retake a scene. It is always great each time.

Are you open to producing across any genre?

Roland Uruci: This film is a very dramatic piece but, I enjoy working different ideas and styles to keep things interesting.  It is like what types of conversations one likes.  I like serious talk, jokes, sarcasm and even sometime something over the top.  Everything has a role in the world.  I am actually preparing to shoot a short film of an idea I had set in a “found footage” story.  It is a style I am not familiar with but, with experimenting comes knowledge and I want to keep learning and trying.

How has technology changed the way you make films?

Roland Uruci: The technology today allows for anyone to be creative.  It is an amazing time for people that want to do things.  You can write a screenplay on your laptop.  You can shoot a movie on a smart phone and you can distribute through the internet to a million viewers in minutes.  When some people say there are no opportunities in the world I feel they are the actual lost opportunity and not the world.

What do you think about the new culture that is developing around filmmaking?

 Roland Uruci: Technology is a great thing but, there is always balance between good and bad.  With all the technology being so accessible I feel a lot of films have stuck to formulas for simple success.  I don’t see the art in it most times.  I don’t see the heat behind the story that makes me sit there motionless.  I wish more people had fun with what this profession is.  It is worlds we create and where we make all the rules.  It is a world where we can make time stand still in our stories.  Stories that can be seen over and over for as long as people care to see them.

What is a historic piece you produced that is considered an influential part of your career?

Roland Uruci: The first thing that I produced that really had an impact for me was a full length comedic play that I wrote, produced and directed.  Invitation to a Marriage was the name of the play and it went up at the Producers Club in NYC for 4 sold out weeks.  The story was about an arranged marriage where the children don’t find out they are engaged until he day they are supposed to meet.  I had great feedback from that play and it really started me thinking that I could do so much more and that there was more in me that I could bring out to be seen.

Director Screenwriter Roland Uruci on the set of Paftuar with actor Luan Bexheti

What are you thinking about doing next? Do you have any actors lined up for the film?

Roland Uruci: I am really trying to focus on Paftaur for now. I have Luan Bexheti as part of the cast and he gives a great depth to the character.  Gent Basha is also attached to the project and knowing his history in Albanian cinema gives some weight to what will happen when we start shooting.  I also have the daughter of Albanian director Bujar Alimani, Savina Alimani as part of the film cast.  We are still trying to firm up the budget and how to go about this project but, that is the battle for every film.  To make it happen takes work and time before the first scene is ever shot.

Where can we stay connected?

www.rolanduruci.com

https://www.facebook.com/Paftuar

https://www.facebook.com/TheSuperintendent

New York - Filmi i regjizorit të talentuar Roland Uruçi me titull “The Superintendent” do shfaqet në Festivalin Ndërkombëtar të Filmit në Tiranë te premten, me datë 25 tetor 2013. Filmi me metrazh të shkurtër, me skenar dhe regji të Roland Uruçit ka tre protagonistë kryesorë: Kate Mason, Brooke Volkert dhe John Noel. Kinematografi i filmit është Albert Elmazovski me producent asistent të xhirimit, Kastriot Uruçi.

“Ta kem filmin tim të parë si përzgjedhje e Festivalit të Filmit në Tiranë është si të marr aprovim nga familja ime shqiptare. Ndjehem tepër i gëzuar që filmi im gjeti vatrën e vet,” u shpreh regjizori dhe skenaristi i njohur Roland Uruçi.

Xhiruar në New York, Amerikë filmi bazohet në një histori të shkurtër shkruar nga Blerta Alikaj. Produksioni u mbarua në 2013-të dhe filmi zgjat 18 minuta.

Filmi i referohet një teme shumë interesante të kulturës shqiptare, burrneshat dhe rrëfen historinë se si një burrneshë, Shota, imigron në Amerikë dhe bëhet manaxhere roje pallati. Të gjithë mendojnë se Shota (luajtur bukur nga Brooke Volkert) është burrë sepse ka karakteristika mashkullore.

Filmi nxjerr në pah një histori shumë emocionuese dhe të fuqishme dhe tregon se çfarë ndodh kur e vërteta del në pah dhe pasojat që le pas. Shpeshherë në jetë ndodh që njerëzit kanë sypozimet e tyre për dikë, pa ditur sakrificat, sfidat dhe të vërtetën që kalon ai person. Shota detyrohet t’i rrëfejë sekretin e saj një të huaji dhe historia ndërthur shumë bukur konfliktet socio-kulturore dhe ato gjinore të shoqërisë.

aktorja Brooke Volkert që luan rolin Shota dhe kinematografi Albert Elmazovski

Ky fenomen akoma praktikohet sot në Shqipërinë veriore, Kosovë, Montenegro dhe Bosnje, një traditë e vjetër lindur para 300 vitesh, përmendur që me Kanunin e Lekë Dukagjinit. Ndërkohë kur vashat e reja ëndërrojnë të martohen, ndër shekuj burrneshat betohen për virgjëri para krerëve të fshatit për t’u bërë burrë për të dalë në luftë ose për të përballuar detyrat e familjes. Ky koncept kulturor është mjaft i huaj për kulturën amerikane dhe ndryshon nga termi “orientimi seksual” siç përdoret më shumë në Sh.B.A.

“Burrneshat kanë karakteristika shumë të veçanta dhe të papara për vendet e tjera të botës. Për shqiptarët ka të bëjë me identitetin dhe perceptimin e karakterit të fortë, vjen nga një kulturë e lashtë që pranohet si traditë nga shoqëria shqiptare. Ky koncept është i huaj për kulturën amerikane dhe bie në konflikt me pranimin e orientimit dhe identitetit. Kur u shfaq filmi në New York ka patur shumë komente pozitive dhe filmi u pëlqye shumë sepse është një film tepër unik,” tha regjizori i filmit ‘The Superintendent’, Roland Uruçi.

Kastriot Uruci, asistent producent i filmit The Superintendent

Regjizori Uruçi ndjehet krenar me projektin e tij të parë, që nxorri në pah një histori majft të veçantë për publikun amerikan dhe atë të huaj, duke i nxitur të mendojnë rreth temave të identitetit, kulturës dhe rolit gjinor në familje.

“Ishte një eksperiencë shumë e mirë në krijimin e një historie duke i shtuar aspekte të kulturës time shqiptare dhe duke e bërë të pranueshme për publikun amerikan. Falenderoj Blerta Alikën që më besoi mua me historinë që ajo shkruajti për ta zhvilluar në film, si dhe Albert Elmazovski (kinematograf i filmit The Superintendent, nga Dibra me origjinë) që e solli vizionin tim në kamera për të krijuar një histori reale dhe të bukur,” shtoi regjizori Roland Uruçi.

Trailer i filmit mund të shikohet këtu: http://vimeo.com/51704867. Momentalisht regjizori Roland Uruçi po merret me projektin e tij të ri “Paftuar” bazuar në ngjarje të vërteta përjetuar nga Julian Biba. Z. Uruçi shpreson ta xhirojë filmin ‘Paftura’ në Shqipëri në 2014 me aktorë shqiptarë. Për më shumë vizitoni www.rolanduruci.com.

Tell me about yourself.

Paul Kurti: I am a film director. I was born in Albania and moved to Canada in my teens. I studied filmmaking in New York. Over the years, I have directed various music videos, documentaries and short films including the award-winning “Restless Wanderer”. In 2012, I directed my first feature film, a love story taking place in New York City. The film is currently screening in various festivals around the world.

I believe in creating stories and images that search to illuminate what defines and connects us as human beings. I do this through film because I find it to be the most powerful medium of communication, since it includes in itself many other art-forms such as photography, music, literature etc.

Your current film in a few words

Paul Kurti: My current film “Out of Sight” is a documentary that looks at Albania through the eyes of children that live in different areas of the the country in different social and economic conditions. Through their voices, thoughts and stories, this film offers some insight into the present and a reflection on the future of Albania.

It was sponsored by Soros (Open Society Foundation for Albania) and it will premiere on the Top Channel TV station this Fall.

What inspired you to make this film?

Paul Kurti: I left Albania in the year 2000, after living through the 90s, a confused decade of transitions for the country and the Albanian society. Every time I visit Albania, I see a lot of aesthetic changes. However, I still find the same confusion about the future as before.

Thus, I decided to make a film, about children who were born after I left the country. Children that did not live through the fall of communism and rise of democracy of the early 90s; the pyramid schemes and rebellion of the mid 90s; or the Kosovo war of the late 90s.

I wanted to explore what it means to be an Albanian child in the new millennium. And since these children are the future of the country, we could get a glimpse into the society of tomorrow.

Andri (Out of Sight)

Arza (Out of Sight)

Talk about the protagonists of this documentary.

Paul Kurti: We interviewed 17 children from cities such as Tirana, Shkodra, Durres, Elbasan, Saranda, Berat, Gjirokaster, etc. Each one of them had a unique point of view and story.

However, because of the tv schedule, we were only allowed a limited length for the documentary. Thus, only 4 children made it into the final film. I chose 4 stories that represent a wide spectrum of emotions, hopes, dreams, beliefs, while together they form a strong narrative for the film.

What do you hope audiences take away from this film?

Paul Kurti: While working on the film, I came across some situations that I was not aware of. On the suburbs of Tirana I saw extreme poverty. Children that were forced to leave school at a younger age because their parents could not afford to buy them books and clothes for school. We show the story of a girl in a similar situation in the documentary. Her parents had removed her from school in grade 4 and she had been sitting at home for the last 4 years. In the meanwhile, her 3 younger sisters were also being removed from school once they got to grade 4. I had never met a child that spoke about school with such passion as her. It was all she has been thinking for the last 4 years, while slowly realizing that she might never get another chance at education.

There are many similar stories that are untold and that people in bigger cities are seldom aware of. That is why I titled the film “Out of Sight.”

I hope that after watching this film, audiences will become more aware that there is so much we can learn from these children. Concepts such as education, order, cleanliness and poverty, become so much more powerful through their voices.

Ralfi and director Paul Kurti (Out of Sight)

What are you conscious of when making films? 

Paul Kurti: As a filmmaker, you have to always be aware of everything that is happening around you. It is not easy to make a documentary with children, as they get distracted easily or do not like to sit in the same place or discuss a topic for too long. Thus, it was essential to first gain the trust of these children and then communicate at their level, asking questions that they would understand and be able to talk about, without intimidating or manipulating them. At the same time, you have to always keep in mind the kind of film you are making and recognize those few moments in an interview that can get you closer to what you are exploring.

How has technology changed the way you make films?

Paul Kurti: Technology has and keeps changing the way everybody makes films. It has become much easier from a technical point of view for every person with a vision to create a short film or even an independent feature. Personally, being able to get high resolution images on an affordable camera and being able to edit at home from my computer gave me the confidence to make my very first short film. However, technology will never replace a strong narrative. Ultimately, it is the story that carries a film and that is as difficult as it has always been to achieve.

Who were your filmmaking inspirations?

Paul Kurti: There have been too many great films and filmmakers that have influenced and shaped the way I view and understand film. However, the work of German director Werner Herzog is a continuous source of inspiration, for the mystical and poetic way he views the world and fearlessness with which he can make a film about any subject.

What project are you thinking about doing next?

Paul Kurti: Since the length of the documentary was limited due to the TV schedule, I would like to expand this documentary and include the stories of more children. I already have hours of extra footage from other interviews, and at the same time I would like to keep exploring more stories and voices.

Once the documentary screens on TV, I hope to find the funds to expand the documentary, or a platform where I can present a longer version. I believe that this is a topic of extreme importance that audiences not only in Albania but also abroad should be aware of. I hope that this documentary will make one reflect and encourage conversations about what kind of action we can take to improve the future of children and society.

For more information about Paul’s work, please visit:

www.paulkurti.com

www.nickolashreli.com

What has been your biggest achievement in the field of acting?
Being in a series regular on a critically acclaimed TV series on AMC. Working with people you look up to validates you’re on the right path.

How did you get your first brake?
John Singleton (Boyz in the Hood) saw a short film I  was in (I also wrote/directed/produced) and cast me in the film ABDUCTION.

What is your best quality as an actor?
My hair & Big Mouth.

How did you get involved in acting?
I used to play with GI JOES when I was little.

Where did you study or get your training?
Detroit Ensemble Theatre, 2nd City.

In what films have you performed up to now?
Abduction, Hostel 3, Mafia,Cargo, Landlord

What projects are you currently working on?
The Red Road – (a sundance channel mini series)

When can the audience expect this new film?
Feb

What have you learned from the directors that you have worked with throughout your career?
Take your time, own and extend your moments.

Who is your ideal director or role model in the industry?
Malik Bader…He is on some next level shit. If you don’t know about him look him up.

Describe your dream role.
I really haven’t thought about it.

What is coming up for you?
Landlord a film I wrote and recently completed.  Its about a 1st generation Albanian guy in Detroit who owns a building and has a run in with a tenant with ties to the underworld. Its dark but has a heart and is spiritual.

Social Links
Twitter – @NickolaShreli
www.nickolashreli.com