Serbian nationalism in Montenegro takes the lead in the face of Albanian film

The fact that a group of individuals managed to interrupt the screening of the film “Lejleku” by Isa Qosje just because it is in Albanian, speaks volumes about the paradox between the Constitution and everyday practice in Montenegro. Reactions and accusations quickly erupted. The president reacted, but so far not the prime minister of Montenegro, other Albanian parties and bodies, yes, non-governmental organizations. As a counter-response to the interruption as well as to nationalization, on Friday night the film was shown with subtitles in Montenegrin on the first channel of the Radio Television of Montenegro, but for someone “Lejleku” should be shown where it was interrupted as proof that the state is not subject to nationalization

A film in the Albanian language was enough to trigger nationalism in Montenegro. The interruption of the film “Lejleku” by director Isa Qosja in Podgorica does not remain an “isolated cultural incident”. For most, it is proof that nationalist motives, historically nurtured by Serbia, continue to take root in Montenegrin society. In a country where the Albanian language enjoys the status of the official language and where Albanians are an inseparable part of the social structure, the fact that a group of individuals manages to interrupt a public screening just because the film is in Albanian, speaks volumes about the paradox between the Constitution and everyday practice.

The interruption of the film occurred on Wednesday night, at the "Xhad" film festival, and reactions and accusations quickly erupted. The president reacted, but so far not the prime minister of Montenegro, other Albanian parties and bodies, and even non-governmental organizations.

In response to the interruption as well as to nationalization, on Friday night the film was shown with Montenegrin subtitles on the first channel of the Radio Television of Montenegro, but for some, “The Stork” should be shown where it was interrupted as proof that the state is not subject to nationalization. The festival organizers have pledged to do so.

Qosja: Film disruption in Podgorica with planning and actions orchestrated by Serbia

Organizers of the “Xhada” film festival in Podgorica, Montenegro, said the screening of the film was interrupted due to vocal dissatisfaction from a group of as-yet-unidentified people, who were reportedly disturbed by the fact that the film was in Albanian. According to Montenegrin media, this group made nationalist appeals and threats.

This act has been condemned by non-governmental organizations and other actors, who have emphasized that this constitutes a dangerous attack on freedom of artistic and cultural expression and an open display of hatred based on nationality and language.

Director Isa Qosja himself told KOHA on Friday that he is not surprised by this action and that despite this interruption, Albanian art exists and will always exist.

"In principle, the interruption of the projection in Montenegro by extreme Serbian nationalists does not surprise me at all. This is proof that they do not even tolerate the language of another people, let alone the people, the space, the culture... Let them suffer in this way, because we are and will always be," he said.

He expressed his displeasure towards the Montenegrins who admired the film. According to him, the interruption was planned and orchestrated by Serbia.

"I feel sorry for that part of the Montenegrin public, who have seen and experienced this film with great admiration. Many intellectuals and film lovers and filmmakers from Montenegro have contacted me and are irritated by what happened, but enthusiastic about the film. The film had a premiere some time ago in Podgorica and was seen and received with ovations. So, with the interruption, there were plans and actions orchestrated by Serbia," said director Qosja.

Producer Đurović: The state and society are to blame for the interruption of the film

Regarding the ban on the film, the Montenegrin co-producer of the film, Ivan Đurović, also commented. He emphasized that the state and society are to blame for this, as they have always been fed with “false myths”. He recalled that “The Stork” is, first and foremost, an excellent film that has been received wonderfully by the public and critics in Montenegro, a work that talks about women without rights, migration and disappearing villages.

"The show was stopped because some people were prevented by the language. But they are not to blame. The state and society are to blame for never building a civic framework, but allowed false myths, nationalism and divisions to be revived. All this with one goal: to hide crime and corruption. Therefore, I do not judge those people, but I invite them to watch the film. If it provokes them, all the better. Because provocation is the essence of art," he said in a response to KOHĪN. He said that he was wrong in one case.

"At one point I was optimistic and believed that this clever nationalist madness would end. In June, an agreement was even signed between the strongest Albanian party in our country and the pro-Serbian clerico-fascist party, and it seemed to me that this could be the foundation of reconciliation between Montenegrins and Serbs, as well as all other reconciliations. But since then everything has only intensified. From the erection of a monument to the criminal and executioner of World War II to new, continuous provocations that divide us even deeper," he added. Djurovic said that now a fundamental question remains. "In a country where corruption and theft are destroying us, will the film and the language that is also the official language in Montenegro provoke us?" he asked.

When describing the film, he said that "Isa Qosja recounts those fates with sweet bitterness, in his own language - the only one with which this narrative can breathe". "This is not a film about national issues, but about human, universal issues - that is why it was supported by 'Eurimages' and by four and four countries, and world-renowned authors worked on it", he said.

The President demands the screening of the film, the Government remains silent

The Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro, also Minister of Economic Development and Chairman of the "Alternativa Shqiptare" party, Nik Gjeloshaj, has said that the violent interruption of the screening of the film in Albanian is a state issue, not just an issue of the Albanian community there.

"Maybe Albanians should not be the first to react, because it is logical and right for others to defend basic values ​​and the Constitution, or maybe the message is that the Constitution does not apply to everyone. Unfortunately, their reaction is missing. And when institutions are silent, this silence is well understood in our society and we know how to read it," he announced, saying that violence and hatred should not be allowed to dictate public life.

While the government has not come up with any reaction, the cabinet of the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, has requested that Qosje's film "The Stork" be shown to the public again, after its screening on September 3 was forcibly stopped.

"We expect the police and the Prosecutor's Office to identify the perpetrators and prosecute them. It is important to allow the film to be shown again," said a statement issued by Milatović's office.

Albanian MP in the Montenegrin Parliament, Ilir Çapuni, said that this interruption is a shameful and unacceptable act. According to him, this is also an attack on the foundations of Montenegro as a multiethnic state.

"As a representative of the Albanian people in the Parliament of Montenegro, with indignation and deep disappointment I condemn the incident that occurred in Podgorica, when during the screening of the film 'Lejleku' by our director Isa Qosja, a group of individuals interrupted this cultural event with shouts, insults and whistles, just because the film was in Albanian. This act is shameful and unacceptable. It is not only an attack on an artistic work and freedom of creativity, but also on the foundations of a multiethnic and civic Montenegro, where every language and culture should enjoy equal respect," the Albanian MP wrote on social networks.

The first Albanian political party in Montenegro, the Democratic League of Montenegro, has expressed indignation and deep concern over the interruption of the film.

"This action is an open display of anti-Albanian nationalism and a direct attack on the constitutional rights of Albanians in Montenegro, where the Albanian language has the status of the official language. The denial of culture and art in the Albanian language is a denial of our own national identity and violates the foundations of a democratic and multiethnic society," the party's official website states.

The National Council of Albanians in Montenegro has also issued a response. It states that whenever there are events or activities related to Albanians, acts of hatred and various forms of ethnic intolerance often appear, which are not limited to direct actions.

"Such actions constitute a serious violation of freedom of expression and cultural rights, as well as the rights of minorities. The Albanian language, as an official language guaranteed by the Constitution in Montenegro, must be respected and treated with respect by all citizens and institutions, as part of the right of minorities to preserve and develop their cultural identity," wrote the chairman of the National Council of Albanians in Montenegro, Faik Nika.

Three Montenegrin institutions have also reacted in a joint statement. The Ministry of Culture and Media, the Montenegrin Cinematheque and the Montenegrin Film Center have emphasized that art, especially film, has always been and should remain a space for dialogue, freedom of expression and confronting the challenges of the society in which we live.

"It is precisely the languages ​​used in the film that reflect what Montenegro is - the wealth of authentic languages ​​and stories that can only arise from a multi-ethnic environment. We are particularly proud of this. It is precisely for this reason that it is unacceptable that in a country that hosts one of the most important regional film meetings and in a country that creates the conditions for the strongest possible international cooperation and co-productions, the broadcast of the film is interrupted in this way," the reaction of these institutions states.

"The Stork" – a pure cinematic product

The Xhada Film Festival has been held for ten years and is an international debut film festival. All films and documentaries are screened mainly in open spaces in Podgorica.

The feature film “The Stork”, by Kosovar director Isa Qosja, premiered in September 2024 at the “PriFest” International Film Festival in Prishtina. The film takes place in the abandoned village of Vuthaj, the birthplace of director Qosja, inhabited by an Albanian population, on the Montenegrin-Albanian border. The theme of emigration is told through the story of three generations of unfortunate women. Between drama and comedy, “The Stork” above all has a documentary role. It remains a pure cinematic product.

The cast of actors included artists such as: Shkumbin Istrefi, Arta Dobroshi, Flonja Kodheli, Donat Qosja, Doresa Rexha and Arben Bajraktaraj. In addition to Qosja, Ballsor Hoxha also worked on the script of this film, while the film's producers are: Festim Bajgora, Ivan Gjurovic, Bajrush Kajtazi, Vanco Mirakovski, Igor Mitriq, Snezhana Nikcevic, Florenc Papas, Marija Vlahovic.

This is the first Montenegrin project to be supported by the European film fund “Eurimages”, with 80 thousand euros. The film was made by the company “Artikulacija” from Podgorica, in cooperation with ABHO Film and ABA Film from Montenegro, as well as other production houses from Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia.