Criterion Collection: The Forgiveness of Blood [Import]

This is an unusual film from Albania and it deals with a blood feud. It is about a pair of neighbouring families who live in a rural village, Mark is the patriarch of one family who have had some of their land given to their neighbours by the `caring' state. They still use the road that runs through it as a shortcut, this is particularly needed as they rely on a bread delivery business which is done by a horse drawn cart type thing.
Anyway things get heated in an argument and the father Mark, and his brother end up sort of stabbing the neighbour to death. Mark bravely runs away but this leaves his family in the lurch. As the elders of the village decide that according to the rules of `the Nakun' that there needs to be blood for blood and in lieu of an agreement on that the men of the house should all be isolated. This means that even the boys are now under self imposed house arrest. The eldest son Nik (Tristan Halilaj) has his life put on hold. He has fallen for one of his high school class mates and was looking forward to graduating and having a life.

His sister is academically bright and now has to leave school to do the bread round and the little boy soon loses the will to live as the inevitable cabin fever gets to everyone. The only way forward is to give them blood or find another solution.

This is from director Joshua Marston (`Maria full of grace') and he has made a very entertaining film on a subject I had no idea existed. The idea that old world ideas still have relevance in dispute resolution is quite good and if it worked here we would save a fortune on prison costs. However it is really a film about growing up taking and abrogating responsibility and relationships - such is the stuff of life.

It is well acted, directed, the framing of the shots is both simple and effective and the music even works so not a lot wrong here at all. It is not a rollicking actioner and wont be for everyone. It is obviously in Albanian with good sub titles and is one for World cinema fans and those who like thing a bit different - recommended.

This is a sensitive portayal of the impact of traditional culture on the lives of people trying to find a path to the future. A thousand-year-old system of governance that clashed with the communism of post-war Albania has reasserted itself; but the old ways work even less well than the communist ways. How to move forward with civility as well as respect for the traditions? The two siblings in this movie are buffeted by this maelstrom. This is a European-style film--not too much action, lots of symbolism, and character, portrayed through illuminating moments as well as the life-altering decisions these teenagers must make. It won the silver bear in Berlin and has been very popular in Europe.

This foreign film is worth watching for a number of reasons. One, it is intelligently crafted around a very compelling story that covers an on-going land dispute between two families in rural Albania. As the plot thickens, the viewer sees a little piece of ancient culture enacted with tragic consequences on the modern landscape. Everywhere there are signs of a country finally emerging from the dark ages led by youthful exuberance only to be stopped dead in their tracks by a bizarre practice from the past. While this is not the Albania of the Hoxha years, one might wonder how much has really changed. While cellphones, cars, electricity, television, computers and ambitions abound, there is still this little left-over from an earlier time: a blood-feud has ensued because someone has taken the law into their own hands and killed their neighbour's son over the right to road access through their disputed property. Two, this production focuses on the troubling relationships between the two disputing parties in a way that resembles a modern version of "Romeo and Juliet". The ancient demand for a blood atonement as a condition of forgiveness will end up destroying the dreams and aspirations of the next generation. The victims in this story will inevitably become the avenging victimizers. Permanent house arrest is the ultimate death sentence for anyone caught in this social trap. Three, this film does justice to passions and emotions flowing out of this deepening rift: alienation, distrust, despair, hatred, weariness, and hope are palpably etched into the faces and actions of all the family members. And, finally, I liked this work for how it showcases rural Albania as a land abounding in natural beauty, strange customs, enduring conflicts, new hopes, and terrible realities. For those who like to watch films that effectively portray life with all its many cross-currents, this is one cinematic comedy you'll not want to miss.