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    • NTC Award Ceremony
      New Talent Competition gives young filmmakers from Central, Eastern and Southern Europe the opportunity to present their outstanding debut or second film to the public. Join us on Sunday 1 December at 19h
    • Music at ENFF
      The Eastern Neighbours Film Festival welcomes special musical guests each year to enrich our program. For this 16th edition, we’re thrilled to present two talented young musicians: guitarist Antonio Peršak (CR) and violinist İdil Yunkuş (TR). Together, they will perform a traditional Balkan dance and folk song, highlighting the beauty of this music through the… Read more: Music at ENFF
    • Masterclass with Janez Burger
      This masterclass presents a unique opportunity to explore Burger's distinct storytelling style, genre use, and exploration of contemporary social issues. Join us on Saturday 30 November at 17h - Room 5
    • Panel Discussion: Exploration of individual and collective memory in cinema
      Panel Discussion: Exploration of individual and collective memory in cinema on Friday 29 November at 18h

Cold November

DirectorIsmet Sijarina
ProducerFatmir Spahiu – Thumbs Up & Buka; AlbaSky Film, Audiohaus – Sound Solutions, Ikone Studio
WriterArian Krasniqi, Ismet Sijarina
CameraSevdije Kastrati
EditorVladimir Pavlovski
CastKushtim Hoxha, Adriana Matoshi, Fatmir Spahiu, Emir Hadzihafizbegovic, Bislim Mucaj, Gordana Boban
SoundIgor Popovski
Original TitleNENTOR I FTOHTE
Year2018
Length93 min
CountryKosovo/Albania/North Macedonia
SubtitlesEnglish
SectionCurrent Relevant Cinema
ScreeningThursday 7 November | 21:15 hours | Filmhuis Den Haag
Friday 8 November | 17:15 hours | Filmhuis Den Haag

An Albanian archivist faces a moral dilemma when the Serbian regime demands loyalty from state employees. This compelling Kosovar film had its premiere at the prestigious San Sebastian IFF and later won numerous awards. Screenings will be followed by Q&A with the actor and producer Fatmir Spahiu. Dutch Premiere

Synopsis

In the early ’90s, the Yugoslavian Government cancelled the autonomy of Kosovo, dissolved its Parliament and closed down the National Television. With the implementation of the extraordinary measures by Serbian authorities, the Albanian citizens who were working at that time were forced to sign a declaration by which they officially accepted Serbia as their own country. If they refused, they would lose all their privileges, jobs, health insurance, children’s funds, as well as the real estate which was given to them for use by institution they worked for. Fadil, an archivist, has to choose between two options, knowing that both of them are wrong. He therefore involuntarily and unwillingly swallows the shame, endures the stigma, and the pressure coming from all sides.

Director’s statement

Cold November is one of those stories that would normally be left untold. This film deals with a family’s history. It is based on real events in a turbulent time, when we cannot say that we were living, but merely existing. His name is Fadil, he lives in Pristina-Kosovo during the early 90s, has a wife, two children, a father and a story to tell.

Festivals & Awards (selection)

San Sebastián International Film Festival, 2018 – World Premiere (New Directors Competition) | Bosphorus Film Festival, 2018 – Best Actor (Kushtim Hoxha) | Zurich Film Festival, 2018 – Audience Award

Director’s bio

Ismet Sijarina is a filmmaker and scriptwriter living in Pristina, Kosovo. His first documentary BEYOND THE RAINBOW (2008) premiered at the Sarajevo Film Festival. His projects were shown at many international film festivals. Sijarina is a member of European Film Academy and currently works as an Associated Professor in the University of Prishtina, Film Directing Program. COLD NOVEMBER (2018) is his feature directorial debut. The film was supported by Kosovo Cinematography Center and Albanian Film Center.