Hans and Franz…

Well, time is quickly passing here in K-ville...and I think winter is here to stay. A little over a month ago I joined Kosovo's equivalent to Gold’s Gym…It's not often that I've worked out in a place where I can see my breath and where the ligting comes via three candles...it's sort of romantic I guess, but it makes it a bit difficult to motivate oneself to workout...and to see what you're doing once you're there. Anyhow...it's getting late, but I wanted to post a little update before going to bed. This is some text that I'm putting together for several sponsors - it gives some information regarding the direction of the project. -- 11/21/05 -- It has just been revised and can be seen at visionfilmworks.com/pr

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November, 2005 -- Here in Kosovo the winter is quickly approaching and with it comes an infrequency of electricity and running water. As the days get shorter, the darkness brought on by the power outages has itself become a character in the film. What do the people do during these long hours of darkness? When you don't have money to fuel a generator or to go out, you light a few candles and stay at home - and then what? You sit in a room that is kept warm by a wood stove and you wait. A few stories might be told, some tea will inevitably be served, and then comes the deafening silence, like a ringing bell - a daily reminder of the oppressive past and the uncertain future. Even though the war has ended, there is still a battle being waged in Kosovo - a battle that is seen everyday as the power goes out and the candles are lit - when the silence comes.

Despite the many overwhelming challenges of life in Kosovo, a sense of hope still remains. This hope can be seen through those who continue to press on and pursue their dreams - dreams of reconciliation, independence, and economic stability. One such dreamer is Luli Hoti, a 28-year-old artist who loves Elvis Presley, classic cars, and making movies. Luli is one of those looking beyond the current situation in Kosovo in pursuit of his artistic dreams.

Luli Hoti is currently in preproduction on a short film that takes place in the town of Trepca, home of one of the richest mines in Europe. Luli's short film illustrates the significance of this small town and its role in the future of Kosovo. In December, Luli will be showing his completed film in what is left of a bombed out theater - an empty shell bearing no resemblance of its past grandeur. Due to limited resources and a lack of suitable venues, the disheveled theater has proven to be a creative way for Luli to show his film and put on an event that the local community and media are behind. The film also has the potential to bring a renewed sense of hope and purpose to the people of this small town and beyond, as Luli desires to present his film in Trepca, as well as throughout Europe and North America.

Vision FilmWorks is capturing Luli's journey as he pursues a December debut in Trepca's war torn theater. In following this journey there will undoubtedly be many obstacles for Luli to overcome before his December debut, yet these challenges will help to illustrate the struggles as well as the beauty of life in Kosovo. With primitive equipment, sporadic electricity, and no trained crew, Luli is working against seemingly insurmountable odds, yet he continues to push on in pursuit of his dream. Through documenting the making of Luli's film, the doors have been opened, allowing a glimpse into a land with a recognized name yet a forgotten story. It is through this right of passage that our documentary seeks to tell the true stories behind Luli's fictional film, and these are the stories that carry with them a glimpse into the true Kosovo.