By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.25
Director: Blerta Basholli
Starring: Adriana Matoshi | Aurita Agushi | Blerta Ismaili | Çun Lajçi | Kumrije Hoxha | Molikë Maxhuni | Yllka Gashi
Original language title: Zgjoi
Country: albania, macedonia, swaziland
Year: 2022
Running time: 84
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13648212/reference
Michael says “HIVE was another film, like FLEE, that I felt should have moved me more than it did. The story of a Kosovo town whose population, particularly the men was decimated during the war. Now countless families wait for the bodies of their lost husbands/sons/brothers to be recovered and identified, all the while nursing a secret hope that somehow their loved ones escaped. Fahrije is one such woman, who lives with her two children, and her father-in-law, all in various states of trying to move on. Fahrije decides that it is time for her to get a job, producing a local food staple and selling it at the grocery store. She continues to maintain the daily beehives to sell honey at local markets, but it’s not enough to sustain her family. To start her business, she also needs a car and a license, and she becomes the talk of the town, with comments like, ‘What will her husband think when he returns,’ dogging her activities.
“The acting is strong all around, as is the direction, which navigates a nice line between narrative and verite style of story-telling. the problem was it tackled too much. The story of loss, and struggling to move on with family and scarce resources could have been enough of a film (and somewhat reminiscent of this year’s Buried Treasure nominee, IDENTIFYING FEATURES). Adding the also strong storyline of a small group of women coming together to take charge of their own lives despite generations of a male-dominated culture took what could have also been a complete film and gave both stories less than what they deserved. Still, well worth watching. 3 1/2 cats”
Chris says: “Guessing Kosovo’s not a big participant in International Women’s Day (at least back when this film was set.) 3 cats“