A Cup of Coffee and New Shoes On explained

A Cup of Coffee and New Shoes On
Director:Gentian Koçi
Producer:Liridon Cahani
Blerina Hankollari
Gentian Koçi
Konstantina Stavrianou
Starring:Edgar Morais
Rafael Morais
Cinematography:Ilias Adamis
Studio:Added Value Films
Artalb Film
Graal S.A
Maria & Mayer
Runtime:99 minutes
Country:Albania
Greece
Kosovo
Portugal
Language:Albanian
Albanian Sign Language
Budget:€750.000[1]

A Cup of Coffee and New Shoes On (Albanian: Një filxhan kafe dhe këpucë të reja veshur) is a 2022 drama film written and directed by Gentian Koçi. It is inspired on a real case where 2 deaf brothers suffer from a degenerative disease that will eventually leave them blind.[2] [3] It stars Edgar Morais and Rafael Morais.[4] The film was selected to represent Albania in the Best International Feature Film category at the 95th Academy Awards.[5] The film was nominated at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in the Critics' Picks Strand section.[6]

Synopsis

In today's Tirana, Agim (Rafael Morais) and Gezim (Edgar Morais), two inseparable deaf-mute identical twin brothers in their forties, live under the same roof. One evening, Agim is driving back home when his sight gets blurred and a fatal accident nearly occurs. At the ophthalmologist, a few days later, the two brothers discover that due to a genetic and rare disease, they will separately, but progressively and irreversibly go blind.Slowly immersing into an unbearable silenced darkness, not being able to see the world and each other anymore, the two brothers have to make a strong decision around a cup of coffee and with new shoes on.[4]

Cast

The actors participating in this film are:[7]

Production

Koçi said he found it an intriguing idea to make a film that deals with complex and evolving human relationships and the fundamental question of what happens to a person, when they are completely immersed in darkness and communication with the world becomes difficult.[8] The three lead actors and producer Blerina Hankollari spent six months learning Albanian sign language at the Albanian National Association of the Deaf (ANAD).[8]

Release

The film premiered on November 21, 2022, at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.[9] The film was released in Albanian theaters on November 24, 2022. In 2023 it should reach Portuguese theaters.[7]

Reception

Writing for Variety, Jessica KIang described the film as a "deeply moving brotherhood drama" and praised the film's ability to convey powerful emotions without becoming overly sentimental. She commended the actors' performances and highlighted the exceptional chemistry between the Morais brothers and their portrayal of the twins' unique bond.[10]

In her review for Screen International, film critic Wendy Ide praised the film and described it as a "wrenchingly sad existential drama that is driven by phenomenal performances from Portuguese actor brothers Rafael Morais and Edgar Morais."

Notes and References

  1. Web site: "Një filxhan kafe dhe këpucë të reja veshur", regjisori kandidat për "Oscars" flet për sfidat e xhirimeve në "Log" . 2022-12-12 . sq.
  2. Web site: "Një filxhan kafe dhe këpucë të reja veshur" filmi i Gentian Koçit kandidat për "Oscars" . 2022-12-12 . sq.
  3. Web site: Tweelingbroers mogen samen sterven . 2022-12-12 . De Standaard . 12 January 2013 . nl-BE.
  4. Web site: Ide2022-11-25T10:15:00+00:00 . Wendy . 'A Cup Of Coffee And New Shoes On': Tallinn Review . 2022-12-12 . Screen . en.
  5. Web site: SHQIP . 2022-11-25 . "Një filxhan kafe dhe këpucë të reja veshur", filmi shqiptar që prezanton Shqipërinë në OSCAR . 2022-12-12 . SHQIP.com . en-US.
  6. Web site: Tallinn Black Nights announces its full Official Selection line-up, new competitive strand Critics' Picks . 2022-12-12 . Cineuropa - the best of european cinema . 21 October 2022 . en.
  7. Web site: Lusa . Agência . Filme albanês protagonizado pelos irmãos Rafael e Edgar Morais estreia-se em festival . 2022-12-12 . Observador . pt-PT.
  8. Web site: 2022-10-28 . Albanian Oscar Entry 'A Cup of Coffee and New Shoes On' Boarded by M-Appeal (EXCLUSIVE) - Elrisala . 2022-12-12 . en-US.
  9. Web site: Filmi "Një filxhan kafe dhe këpucë të reja veshur" do të shfaqet premierë botërore në "Tallinn Black Nights" dhe konkurron për çmimin "Filmi artistik më i mirë" . 2022-12-12 . sot.com.al.
  10. Web site: Kiang . Jessica . 2022-12-16 . 'A Cup of Coffee and New Shoes On' Review: An Extraordinary Bond Is Tested in a Deeply Moving Brotherhood Drama . 2023-08-11 . Variety . en-US.