Letters in the wind

Production ASP srl Italy

In association with ERAFILM shpk Albania

Written and directed by Edmond Budina

Director of photography Tomaso Borgstrom

Art design Antonio Farina

Costums Claudia Columbini

Music Fatos Qerimaj

cast

Niko Gjini - Edmond Budina
Nina Gjini - Yllka Mujo
Goni Doci - Bujar Asqeriu
Lela Doci - Violeta Trebicka Banushi
Goni's Friend - Ermela Teli
Roberto - Lulzim Zeqja
Fatmir - Naun Shundi
Eda Gjini - Adele Budina
Caku - Gerti Ferra
Zarce - Blendi Petriti
Man Playing Pipe/Keli - Vitmar Basha
Arianna - Eriona Kakeli
Dini - Lirjon Mille
(Albanian dialogue)

Festivals ;

Regus London Film Festival

Taormina BNL Film Fest

Palm Springs International Film Festival

Portland International Film Festival

Newport Beach Film Festival

Leeds International Film Festival

Thessaloniki International Film Festival

Belgrade Film Festival

Sofia International Film Festival

Istanbul International Film Festival

Bangkok International Film Festival

Bangladesh Film Festival

Montpelier Film Festival

Med Film Fest

?Der neue Heimatfilm? Freistadt

EuropaCinema di Viareggio

Festival Cinema Europeo di Lecce

Tekfilm Festival di Roma

Heidelberg festival (Germania)

Monaco Film Festival

Gallio Festival del Cinema Italiano

Bolzano Film Festival

Festival del Cinema di Frontiera (Sicilia)

Linz International Film Festival

Awards;

Grand prix Linz Interanational Film Festival

Best screenplay in Gallio Festival of Italian Cinema

Award of quality for the Italian Cinema in 2003

Show in television;

Sky Tv

Albanian Public Television

Critiques;

Lettere al Vento
(Italy) A Lucky Red release of an Andrea Occhipinti presentation of an ASP
production, in association with Erafilm (Tirana). Produced by Donatella Palermo.
Directed, written by Edmond Budina.

By JAY WEISSBERG

First features rarely display talents as considerable as multihyphenate Edmond
Budina's in "Letters in the Wind." A moving tale of the struggle to maintain
dignity in a world of crumbling moral borders, story depicts an Albania unsure
how to define its future and uncertain how to reconcile its past. Showing a
mastery of the medium and an eye for haunting compositions, helmer-writer-actor
Budina enriches his narrative with dreamlike sequences of enormous emotional
resonance. Pic deserves arthouse exposure.

Niko (Budina) is an unemployed professor and former Party secretary in contempo Albania, whose family just makes ends meet, thanks to money sent from Italy by
his son Keli (Vitmar Basha). But there's been no word from Keli recently, except
one letter brought by a friend that gets whipped away by a gust of wind before
Niko can read it. Strange rumors are also swirling that Keli is involved in some
nasty business in Italy.

With no private students and the money from Keli inexplicably dried up, Niko is
reduced to peddling bananas. For a proud man of the intelligentsia, this latest
setback produces a shock compounded by the intrusion of a small-time shakedown
artist employed by a former friend, Goni Doci (Bujar Asqeriu). Niko's fall is
paralleled by Goni's rise: The vacuum of authority caused by the collapse of
Communism enables a corrupt man to replace an honest one.

Niko's daughter, Eda (Adele Budina, helmer's own daughter, in her screen debut)
is kidnapped from school by vicious thugs who would force her into prostitution,
but is mysteriously released when the gang leader learns she is Keli's sister.
Niko cannot understand how the gentle son he knew could now be feared by violent
hoodlums, and decides to make the journey to Italy himself to learn the truth.

Budina's humanity shines through in every sequence, capturing the bewilderment
of a man whose soul has been assaulted by the currents of history. The use of
mesmerizing dream sequences give pic a Fellini-esque touch, as does Budina's
recurring use of motifs, especially the elements of air, fire and water.

A strong cast of unknowns (outside of Albania) is led by Budina's own moving
performance as the father, struggling to hold on to his compassion and respect.
(Helmer was a well-known legit director and actor in his native land before
emigrating to Italy.)

Low budget doesn't impede tech aspects, and Fato Qerimi's evocative music is
beautifully wedded to image and mood.

Camera (Fujicolor), Tommaso Borgstrom; editor, Fiorella Giovanelli; music, Fato
Qerimi; production designer, Antonio Farina; costume designer, Grazia Colombini;
sound (Dolby), Gianluca Costamagna; assistant director, Enzo di Terlizzi;
casting, Jorgelina de Petris. Reviewed at Sala AGIS, Rome, June 3, 2003. (In
Taormina Film Festival -- World Cinema.) Running time: 84 MIN.