NOT A CARWASH (Gentian Koçi, Albania). 49 minutes. Subtitled. Rating: NNN
Passions and tensions are running high at Albania’s Marubi Film Academy in this powerful vérité look at the relationship between governing bodies, corporate interests and cultural history.
After the government sells the school’s privately owned garden/outdoor cinema to the biggest media conglomerate in the country without permission or consultation, professors, students and artists stage a sit-in. A media frenzy and occasional violent clashes with police result.
At 49 minutes, the film could be a bit longer and delve more deeply into the country’s rich film production history, but director Gentian Koçi has put together a stomach-churning look at political malfeasance that arts and culture buffs will immediately sympathize with.
May 1, 6:30 pm, ROM Theatre May 3, 1:30 pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox 3.
