In many ways a more sophisticated, complex, political re-telling of Amelio's great 'Stolen Children'.
In this case two Italians go to just post communist Albania to try and make a killing setting up an exploitative factory, taking advantage of the desperately poor local workers. They hire a half- crazed old man to be the necessary local figurehead. (The local is amazingly played by a non- actor.)
Then, of course, everything in their plan goes wrong.
Tremendously moving, with only brief whiffs of manipulation or easy emotion. A portrait of colonialism and capitalism crashing into communist bureaucracy, and leaving behind shattered souls.
In this case two Italians go to just post communist Albania to try and make a killing setting up an exploitative factory, taking advantage of the desperately poor local workers. They hire a half- crazed old man to be the necessary local figurehead. (The local is amazingly played by a non- actor.)
Then, of course, everything in their plan goes wrong.
Tremendously moving, with only brief whiffs of manipulation or easy emotion. A portrait of colonialism and capitalism crashing into communist bureaucracy, and leaving behind shattered souls.