Television is the same the world over

I did a taped interview for Pristina television today at noon. Boy, are they struggling to find airable material. I knocked myself out talking about how honored I was to be at the festival, etc. And, of course, that much is true. I just don’t like how television, no matter the country of origin, tends to distort reality just by focusing its expensive cameras in a certain direction.

For a giggle, at one point, I told the festival director — Berim Gjoci — to tell the Albanian-speaking reporter that I was a little nervous because her eyes were so beautiful I kept falling into them. I swear she blushed. Score one for the old guy.

The evening was a replay of Thursday night, with our showing up at Pristina’s National Theater in time to a see a half dozen short films. And the jury’s collective opinion is that this festival of shorts just keeps getting better. We then retired to The Saloon to debate the qualities, and detriments, of each film — as, a night before, a rock group pulsated in the background.

All hail Peja beer.

Tonight we see the final six entries, followed by our choosing of the winner in eight different categories: Best Film, Best Cinematorgraphy, Best Editing, Best Screeplay, Best  Actor/Acrress, Best Screenplay and Best Music. We’re then supposed to each take the stage and say something brief about our festival experience.

Don’t know exatly what I’m gonna say, but trust me.: i won’t be saying anything about anyone’s eyes. That’s just between you and me.

Below : The ongoing ad trailer for the eighth edition of the 9/11 Dedication Film Festival. Blerim Gjoci is the big guy wearing the hoodie.