Artan Minarolli is ALIVE!

Interview with Artan Minarolli, director of Albania's internationally acclaimed film Alive (2009). About a
young man named Koll in Tirana, Albania who is just trying to live the modern life of a university student but gets stuck in an ancient blood feud in the countryside of his ancestral land. Will modern times help Koll escape his
tragic familial fate?

I met Artan Minarolli in January in Palm Springs at the closing night party where were all packed tight in a room hiding from the first drops of the torrential 2010 winter floods that hit California that very night. That's when he first started to tell me about his film, Alive. Today, he takes time away from his summer holidays to speak with us about his film.

ME: Can you talk about Alive (2009)? What is it about and what inspired you to make this film? Also, how true does it reflect modern Albanian life? 

ARTAN: When the tragedy of "OTRANTO" happened I learned that a student was among the victims. This student was going far away from Albania because he was under the vendetta. An old blood feud was between his family and another one in north of Albania. I followed this story and started to write script. As a matter of fact this kind on blood feud seems very archaic today, but the society in Albania is still closed in the room of vendettas, that, today has not the motivation and organization like before.

ME: It must be very hard to film a movie about vendettas. And this reminded me of the Brazilian film Behind the Sun (2001) by Walter Salles which was actually based on an Albanian novel. And it also reminds me a little of Before the Rain (1994) by Milcho Manchevski, also about the blood feuds between Albania and Macedonia. So, in fact they don't seem very archaic at all but very current in an ancient land. Do you have any stories, anecdotes you might have about the process of making the film...how hard it was and complications from the script to the screen?

ARTAN: To do a film in Albania you have to change a kind the mentality: "Is it true that in Albania you can do a movie? Is Albania a dangerous country etc?" Then, after you have done a lot to change this kind of opinion, you have to start convincing the others to give money for your film, fighting against the "global commercialization" of the film. For sure my film is an ART FILM and not Main Stream too, which are two elements that don't help me to find finance etc.

ME: You are very right. It must've been a fight to make this film; nevertheless, it was a success and indeed a beautiful film that has won awards in international film festivals. In terms of Albanian cinema, you are right. I personally happen to know four very good Albanian directors so I know that it is a flourishing and very up and coming industry full of fantastic talent. Artan, can you tell us about what you want audiences to know about your film Alive (2009) and what you really wanted to say with them?

ARTAN: In principal I want to show my world to the others. For me is not so important the story as it is my personal world that I convey this story for the audience.

ME: Can you talk about how hard it is to make a film in Albania? How are they funded? What is the filmmaking norm? Is there one?

ARTAN: In Albania is only one financial source which is Albanian Film Center. The budget for long features doesn't promise more than two films per year. But this year is different. The budget is short because of global crises. SO you have to wait a lot, because without supporting from your country you cannot ask help from other countries.

ME: It's true. At least there are opportunities for European co-productions with other countries but you are very right. It is hard for countries like Albania and even for filmmaking in general everywhere. The world is a big place
and everyone has a story or two to tell. So, we are lucky if we can get ours heard :-) Thank you for sharing your beautiful and passionate story with us, Artan.  See you at the next film festival and enjoy your holidays.

Interview by Vanessa McMahon on August 10, 2010

stills from the film

director Artan Minarolli