Synopsis

Elsa visits her husband regularly in prison to live up to her marital duties. Some cells further, Spetim also tries to provide his incarcerated wife with few moments of happyness. A newly established law liberalized the execution of a prison sentence and enabled visits like these to happen; it allows married couples in Albanian prisons to have sexual intercourse once a month. But for Elsa and Spetim this opportunity, regarding the arrest in a seemingly relieving way, is just some agonizing duty, which serves the satisfaction of their marriage partners only. One day these two visitors, who actually are feeling very lonely, meet in the prison coincidentally and soon engage cautiously in a tender and liberating love story. When the government declares general pardon, the lucky and happy times of them seem to come to an end. In the center of this tremendously sad romance are two lovers, who can’t decide on their own destiny. Director Bujar Alimani tells in this multiple award-winning movie not only a love story without frills and with stunning pictures, but he’s also telling a story about his homeland Albania, which is torn between two sides, modernization on the one hand and holding on to traditions and traditional values on the other hand.

Guests

Bujar Alimani

Christina Syvolap 
Director, writer, producer Amnesty
In Vienna: October 5-7