Private Project

Fran and Verka; or a usual day in an abandoned village

Fran and Verka are the sole inhabitants of Vërnakollë - the place they first met many years ago, got married and have been living ever since.
They remember a lively village where children played in the streets and weddings lasted for a week. 
After the 1999 war in Kosovo, it all changed. Everyone but Fran and Verka left the village. Their story is a testament to the unbreakable bonds that tie us to what we call home and to where we belong.

  • Sovran Nrecaj
    Director
  • Sovran Nrecaj
    Writer
  • Aurela Kadriu
    Producer
  • Fran
    Key Cast
    "Fran"
  • Verka
    Key Cast
    "Verka"
  • Besim Ugzmajli
    Cinematographer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 35 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 15, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    Kosovo
  • Country of Filming:
    Kosovo
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Sarajevo Film Festival
    Sarajevo
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    August 13, 2023
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Sovran Nrecaj

Sovran Nrecaj is a young filmmaker, born in 1998 in Ferizaj, Kosovo. He began his artistic career as a photographer and later developed a passion for writing and directing. Sovran studied at Sarajevo Film Academy, where he refined his skills and worked on various film projects, showcasing his versatility and dedication to the art of filmmaking. Sovran's latest work, "Sea by the River and River by the Sea," has won several awards at international festivals. His filmmaking style is characterized by his ability to convey meaningful stories through visual storytelling, tackling important social issues in his work. Sovran Nrecaj has recently completed a short documentary titled "Fran and Verka; or a usual day in an abandoned village." The documentary offers a poignant look at the lives of two elderly individuals in a remote, abandoned village in Kosovo. Currently, Sovran is working on his first feature film, "Around the River Beyond the Sea."

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As the director of "Fran and Verka; or a usual day in an abandoned village", I aimed to capture the poignancy of two elderly individuals living in a remote, forgotten village in Kosovo. The absence of dialogue in the film emphasizes the solitude of their existence and allows viewers to witness their daily routine without any distractions. Through the "fly on the wall" style, the camera becomes an observer of their lives, revealing how they navigate the world in a way that is vastly different from the modern way of living. Inspired by the work of Vlatko Gilic, I wanted to create a film that would make the audience reflect on the value of human connection and the importance of preserving cultural traditions.