Main Cast: Fadil Hasa, Miola Sitaj, Ola Sadiku, Marko Bitraku, Vangjel Toce
Release Year: 2008
Country: AL
Run Time: 91 minutes
Plot
Producer/director Besnik Bisha teams with poet/screenwriter Besnik Mustafaj to adapt Mustafaj's metaphorical novel about life in 1970 Albania as seen through the eyes of an illiterate yet sly Roma community leader who seeks to alleviate tensions with the denizens of a small southern town by naming his ninth child after the Chinese leader who has recently become a key ally to Albania. His disruptive gypsy camp becoming an increasing nuisance to the locals, community spokesman Hekuran Romalini makes the decision to name his newborn boy after the Great Helmsman Mao in hopes that such an action will appease the local authorities. Subsequently appealing to the Chinese embassy among them by mobilizing public officials and Romanies to sing revolutionary songs and recite key phrases from Mao's "Little Red Book," the crafty Romalini ultimately manages to get his way by spinning a colorful kaleidoscope of propaganda with as much verve and tenacity as a true communist hardliner. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
