Da un’idea di / Based on and idea of: Dardan Hoti Sceneggiatura / Screenplay: Ilir Hasanaj Fotografia / Photography: Leart Rama, Ilir Hasanaj Montaggio / Editing: Enis Saraçi Musica / Music: Arbër Salihu Suono / Sound: Tomor Kuçi, Ilir Hasanaj, Pëllumb Ballata Interpreti / Cast: Linda, Blendi, Maki, Semi, Edoni, Qerkica, Mustafa Produzione / Produced by: CEL Kosova in associazione con / in association with Dardan Hoti, Aurela Kadriu, Ilir Hasanaj Con il sostegno di / Supported by: Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development SDC, Kosovo Foundation for Open Society KFOS, Municipality of Prishtina, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Queer &Migrant Film Festival, Art. 1, Unseen Films Distribuzione internazionale / World Sales: Impronta Films
“This film tells the story of 7 LGBTQ+ persons living in Kosovo who come from different backgrounds and generations. Using their real names, voices and faces, Megi, Semi, Edon, Qerkica, Mustafa, Blendi and Linda tell stories of discovering their queerness and living as queer in an environment of unacceptance … It is the first feature documentary in Kosovo to show the protagonists without blurring their faces and changing their real names … The contrasts between the stories of the younger and older protagonists show the social changes Kosovo has endured, particularly from before the 90s war and after the first ever Pride Parade in 2017. These contrasts become even more significant considering the fact that Kosovo has a majority Muslim population and there are widespread false claims that being LGBTQ+ is an ‘ideology’ imported from the West… Through this film, I seek to expose broader audiences to the experiences, realities, and voices of LGBTQ+ persons, with the hope that such exposure will initiate more understanding and compassion towards the struggles LGBTQ+ persons face daily.” (I. Hasanaj)
Ilir Hasanaj
Ilir Hasanaj is a film director from Kosovo that grew up in Switzerland. Before graduating in Film at the Zurich University of the Arts, he worked several years as a computer scientist. In 2018, he co-founded the alternative cinema Kino ARMATA in Prishtina. He also leads the NeoSchool Documentary School and is a programmer at Kino Kosova Film Festival. As I Was Looking Above, I Could See Myself Underneath was presented at the festivals Dokufest in Prizren, Kosovo, Solothurner Filmtage in Switzerland, Queer Lisboa in Portugal, among others.
filmografia scelta / selected filmography
2012 Senjor! cm / sf 2015 LEONARDO cm / sf 2017 me dasht‘ me dasht’ me dasht‘ doc. 2022 As I Was Looking Above, I Could See Myself Underneath doc. 2024 Worker’s Wings cm / sf doc.
