The Soul of Milk
2019
Two brothers, their wives, and children, along with their elderly parents - this is the patriarchal home of a typical farmer family in Albania. They share one roof, but above all - one life. The whole family takes part in the workings of the family farm which is located in the mountain village of Blerim, in North Albania. The road up to here is so rough that, especially during the winter, it takes months before the family has any contact with the outside world. Suzana, the wife of the elder brother, has studied nursing and she’s often delivered babies out on the wintry roads. My eyes well up when she explains how she puts the newborn right on top of the snow and the snow quickly melts away by the steaming blood. Hot is the blood of men around here. It melts away all toil and hardship and their faces only give away the truth about the cold harsh wind of the mountain.