Luana Bajrami's success makes the "Oscars" touch Kosovo too

On stage, Luana Bajrami was introduced as an actress from Kosovo, while this achievement, beyond an award, is also an inspiration for the talents of a small country that a little over a quarter of a century ago faced war and attempted ethnic cleansing. Since Sunday, “Two People Exchanging Saliva” with Luana Bajrami as “Malaise” has entered the most highly regarded films of the American Academy with an “Oscar” for the “Best Live Action Short” category.

Luana Bajrami has shown signs of a rising star in the world of cinema since her first steps as an actress and director. Born in Kosovo and raised in France, Bajrami on Sunday night became the first Albanian to step onto the stage of the most prestigious awards that the world of film knows, the “Oscars”. The film in which she has a central role has received the big trophy for the “Best Live Action Short” category. On stage, she was introduced as an actress from Kosovo, while this achievement beyond an award is also an inspiration for the talents of a small country that a little over a quarter of a century ago faced war and attempted ethnic cleansing. As of Sunday, “Two People Exchanging Saliva” with Luana Bajrami as “Malaise” enters the most highly regarded films of the American Academy. 

When the film's title was called, among those who took to the stage of the Dolby Theater where the 98th Oscars ceremony was held in Los Angeles was the actress from Kosovo who, on Saturday - the day before the ceremony - turned 25. 

“Luana Bajrami from Kosovo” is the presentation that the film team gave her amidst the emotions of receiving the Award. Bajrami hugged her colleagues on stage, manifesting her great achievement. On the evening when the whole world had its eyes on Los Angeles, Bajrami also sent there the name of the place where she was born. And the film in which she stars and was awarded will now be watched even more. There, Bajrami plays Malaise, a young woman who starts working in a prestigious boutique in Paris. The co-production between France and the United States of America, with the original title “Deux personnes échangeant de la salive”, brings Bajrami as a character where many things intersect. In the black and white film, written and directed by the duo Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata, a dystopian Paris is imagined where slaps in the face have replaced money and kisses are forbidden, even punishable by death. When a young woman, Malaise (Luana Bajrami), starts working at a glamorous boutique, she quickly forms a bond with a wealthy client, Angine, igniting the envy of her supervisor. A dark comedy about attraction and rivalry, set against a backdrop of strange stylized violence, the film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in the US and won the Grand Jury Prize at the American Film Institute’s AFI Fest. The project’s executive producers are Julianne Moore and Isabelle Huppert. In 36 minutes, Bajrami comes across as a playful girl within the possibilities of the film’s concept. Her portrayal complements the darkness that covers that fictional Paris with the tendency, as a young woman, to push the boundaries of the rules a little. It’s a drama that’s hard to even imagine, and Bajrami fits the bill as the main character. On Sunday night, the film received its highest rating worldwide. And the fact that Eid is also here has made the echo of the Prize reach Kosovo as well. 

Actor Afrim Muçaj, who has worked on two films where Bajrami was the director, said on Monday that it was clear from the start that we were dealing with a very special artist. 

"She has an extraordinary dedication to her work and a rare artistic sensitivity. Her success on the international stage and the achievement of being the first Albanian associated with such a big moment as the Academy Awards is a historic moment, not only for her, but also for all of us in Kosovo," said Muçaj. According to him, the success of Bajrami is great proof. 

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"It is a powerful testament that talent from our country can reach the highest peaks of world cinema when hard work, courage and artistic vision come together. For those who have seen her journey up close, this success is fully deserved and a source of great pride," he said. 

For the Kosovo Film Center, the news about Bajram is strong testimony to the talents from the youngest state in Europe. 

"A special moment of pride for Kosovar cinema is the participation of actress Luàna Bajrami, who is part of the cast of this winning project. After continuous successes on the international film scene, Bajrami continues to represent with dignity the talent of Kosovar artists in the world cinema industry," the CCK's response reads. And for the National Film Center in Albania, this recognition by the American Academy is not only a personal triumph of Bajrami, but a testament to the inexhaustible power and talent that our artists are showing on the most prestigious stages of the world. 

"This moment marks a milestone for Albanian film and fills us with hope for our common journey towards the peaks of world art," the institution's response reads. 

On Monday, Eid was also congratulated by Kosovo's state leaders. 

"We are proud of this great achievement of Luana, the fearless actress, born in Kosovo who represents the best of our youth: talent, determination and confidence to pursue even the biggest dreams," said President Vjosa Osmani via social media. 

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The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Saranda Bogujevci, also offered congratulations on Eid. 

"The week started with extraordinary news. Our actress, Luana Bajrami, shone at the most prestigious ceremony in world cinema, the Oscars, where the film 'Two People Exchanging Saliva', directed by Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata, was declared 'Best Short Film'," she said via social media.

Through her films like "The Lionesses of the Hill", Luana Bajrami took Kosovo to the most prestigious festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival in 2021. At the Venice Film Festival, Bajrami went as an actress to Audrey Diwan's "Heppening" which received the "Golden Lion" in 2021, and she returned there a year later with her film "Our World", a story about the harsh realities of life in post-war Kosovo and the burning desire of young people to overcome those difficulties.

In the fall of 2023, Bajrami would come to Kosovo for the "Prishtina International Film Festival" after the film she stars in, "Toka brenda meje", had its Kosovo premiere. Bajrami, then 22 years old, as one of the most promising actresses and directors from Kosovo, in an interview for KOHËN had described her journey, the films she has made, the topics that excite her and the goals she aims to achieve through art.

“I believe that one job develops the other,” she said when asked where she plans to focus more, directing or acting. She said that Kosovo is a source of inspiration and local stories should be shown all over the world, as they can be experienced in other countries where societies face similar problems. 

"It is important for me to inspire and explore the theme of youth, but more broadly the theme of man. This is my essence at the moment, because I believe it also evolves during the artist's process," she said.

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He planned to continue working hard and claimed that he aimed to inspire youth. And he is achieving this like no other. As part of the films that have now entered the Oscars list.