REVIEWS
“Sparse and stripped down, with little dialogue, much of the story is told through subtle looks and expressions on the character’s faces. This is a film which depicts the hardship of life in a broken social landscape and interrogates the traditional patriarchal structures of this society.” –
Raindance
“Even in this, his first feature film, director Bujar Alimani demonstrates an assured hand, timing all his shots with precision so that they are lyrical and contemplative rather than slow or dull.” –
The Moving Arts Film Journal
“The realism of Amnesty is not only of dramatic interest: this film offers the audience a slice of life in Albania.” –
The Moving Arts Film Journal
“Alimani’s skill as a director ensures that the oppressiveness of the situation does not create a bleak cinematic experience for the audience. Viewers will sympathize with the characters, and so share their anxieties and sorrows, but they also get to share their quiet enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures: Elsa’s tender relationship with her children; sharing a drink in a cafe; sharing stories with a friend; or treating your colleagues to a pastry. The film is realistic in that there are good times to balance the bad, and people find the elements of comfort they can even in the harshest realities.” –
The Moving Arts Film Journal
“Albanian director Bujar Alimani’s debut feature Amnesty, a subtle exploration of a society in flux and divided between morality and passion, won the Cineuropa Award at the 12th Lecce Festival of European Film.” –
Cineuropa
"Almani, who acquired his early film experience working in Greek cinema, displays a solid control of the visual language, achieved here with the help of a mainly Greek technical whose work is smoothly professional." –
Screen Daily
FESTIVALS & AWARDS
2011
Official Albania Submission for Best Foreign Language Film, 84th Academy Awards
Cineuropa Award, FIPRESCI Prize, Special Jury Prize, Festival del Cinema Europeo
C.I.C.A.E. Award, Berlin International Film Festival
In Competition, Sarajevo Film Festival
In Competition, Chicago International Film Festival
In Competition, Jerusalem International Film Festival
Official Selection, Montreal World International Film Festival
Official Selection, Vancouver International Film Festival
Official Selection, Lisbon & Estoril Film Festival
Official Selection, Kaunas International Film Festival
Official Selection, Raindance Film Festival
Official Selection, Sarajevo Film Festival
