- “Taken” (2008): This action-packed thriller starring Liam Neeson follows the story of a retired CIA agent who travels to Paris and later to Albania to save his kidnapped daughter.
- “The Double Hour” (2009): A psychological thriller set in Italy but with significant scenes in Albania, this film tells the story of a hotel maid who falls in love with an ex-cop at a speed dating event, and their lives take an unexpected turn.
- “The Forgiveness of Blood” (2010): Directed by Joshua Marston, this drama delves into the Albanian Kanun, an ancient code of conduct that enforces blood feuds. The story revolves around a teenage boy whose life is upended when a blood feud erupts in his community.
- “Sworn Virgin” (2015): This Italian-Albanian drama explores the Albanian tradition of “sworn virgins,” women who took a vow of chastity and lived as men to escape societal restrictions. The film tells the story of a young woman who wants to reclaim her female identity.
- “Agnus Dei” (2016): A Polish-French film inspired by true events, “Agnus Dei” is set in post-World War II Poland but depicts a fictional Albanian monastery. The movie centres around a French Red Cross doctor who discovers a group of pregnant nuns seeking her help.
- “The General of the Dead Army” by Ismail Kadare: This renowned novel tells the story of an Italian general who comes to Albania to search for the bodies of fallen soldiers from World War II. It offers a powerful exploration of the impact of war and the search for identity.
- “Broken April” by Ismail Kadare: Another masterpiece by Kadare, this novel takes place in the mountainous regions of Albania and follows the tradition of blood feuds, focusing on a young couple trapped in a cycle of violence and honor.
- “The Palace of Dreams” by Ismail Kadare: This surreal and thought-provoking novel is set in a fictionalised version of Ottoman-era Albania. It centres around a bureaucratic institution that interprets citizens’ dreams to predict future events, raising questions about surveillance, control, and the psychology of power.
- “Chronicle in Stone” by Ismail Kadare: Set during World War II, this coming-of-age novel portrays the experiences of a young boy growing up in a small town in Albania. It beautifully captures the innocence, wonder, and harshness of daily life amidst wartime chaos.
- “The Fall of the Stone City” by Ismail Kadare: In this novel, Kadare combines history and mythology to explore the rise and fall of a fictional fortress city in ancient Illyria, present-day Albania. It delves into themes of power, fate, and the lasting impact of empire.
WANDERLIST: Albania in books and on film
0
Share.
