Filmmakers Brave Winter to Raise Funds for Solar Panels in Their Neighborhood

Two years ago, a group of filmmakers in Albania took an unusual approach to funding a solar energy project for their neighborhood. In the dead of winter, they camped out on their rooftop to raise money for the installation of solar panels, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable energy.

This act of community-driven activism is just one aspect of a larger story unfolding in the country. In a separate project, director Roland Sejko has been delving into Albania's cinematic past, uncovering the powerful propaganda machine that operated under the communist regime of Enver Hoxha.

Sejko's documentary, "A State Film," examines the vast archive of official footage created to construct a political narrative during Hoxha's rule. The carefully choreographed images of cheering worker heroes, dancing girls in traditional garb, and endless parades of patriotic fervor are hauntingly familiar, echoing the propaganda tactics employed across the Eastern Bloc.

Through his meticulous curation and editing, Sejko strips away the original heavy-handed narration, allowing the physicality of the scenes to emerge. The result is a striking contrast between the collective joy depicted on screen and the loneliness and isolation of power hinted at in Hoxha's personal archive footage.

"A State Film" serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring influence of propaganda and the importance of critically examining the images that shape our collective memory. As the world continues to grapple with the legacy of authoritarian regimes, this documentary offers a unique perspective on the power of the cinematic medium to both construct and deconstruct political narratives.