Private Project

Our Roma Heroine

The young girl, aged 8-9 years old, after receiving her mother's blessing to go to school, puts on her school clothes and her only sneakers, which her mother gave her as a gift. On her way to school, little Esmeralda accidentally tears one of her sneakers, and in order not to be late, she quickly finds a solution to fix it. Esmeralda arrives in the classroom and is stared at by all her classmates, as one of her sneakers stands out due to the black bag tie. Esmeralda feels embarrassed, and almost all her classmates laugh at her, making her feel ashamed and obliged to leave the classroom. During the evening, in the dim light of a candle, Esmeralda starts doing her homework in one of the rooms at home. Meanwhile, Esmeralda's mother feels very worried because her husband hasn't arrived home yet. After finishing her chores, Esmeralda notices her mother's distress and starts asking her why her father is late. Esmeralda is already in high school at around 15-16 years old and her wildest dream is to fully commit, like the old expression says, with sweet and blood into education to obtain a good profession once grows older. But she does not find it easy at all as she has to endure prejudices, discrimination and bulism from her mates. During class, Esmeralda exceled in answering to teacher’s questions and was impressed a lot, but some of her classmates started to envy Esmeralda’s bright knowledge. A group of girls planned to publicly discriminate against her by sticking a stiker on her backpack with a citation “I am a smart gipsy”. Esmeralda did not notice the sticker and wore the backpack to leave for home. Out in the school’s yard, othe students started laughing once saw the citation on her backpack. Sad and eye-watering, she ran from school. After a few heated exchanges with Esmeralda, Esmeralda herself wanted to clear things up with these girls so that there wouldn't be any issues. However, the leader of the girls didn't let go of her grudge against Esmeralda, calling her worthless and someone who would never become anything more than a palace cleaner. Esmeralda remained cold in response, not uttering a word against such hostile behaviour, she just watched the girls as they walked away.

  • Olsi Genci Sherifi
    Director
  • Olsi Genci Sherifi
    Writer
  • Xhenson Cela
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Family
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 23 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 9, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    8,500 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Albania
  • Country of Filming:
    Kosovo
  • Language:
    Albanian, Romany
  • Shooting Format:
    Ultra HD quite Time
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:09
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • Romix
    Distributor
    Country: Albania
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Olsi Genci Sherifi

Olsi Sherifi, a multifaceted individual born in Tirana, is not just a journalist, but a cultural advocate and singer who has made remarkable contributions to the Roma community and cultural landscape. His diverse talents and unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting Roma culture make him one of best Roma activist in Albania.
Olsi's journey as a cultural activist began in 2013, where he passionately raised his voice for the Roma community in Albania, particularly addressing housing issues. Through his blog "Weekly Nevipe," he has consistently shed light on Roma characters worldwide and addressed recent sensitive issues, showcasing his dedication to amplifying Roma narratives.
His journalistic endeavors extended to Albanian Radio Television in 2017, where he broadcasts short news in the Romani language, providing insights into the latest developments in the country and worldwide.
Olsi's love for Roma culture is not confined to journalism. Despite his background, he immersed himself in the field of Roma music, showcasing his commitment to cultural diversity. Enrolling in a music course during high school, supported by Rromani Baxt, exemplifies his hands-on approach to cultural preservation. His involvement in a music group aimed at replacing the legendary Rromano Dives demonstrates his early dedication to Roma musical traditions.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Olsi initiated a festival of traditional Roma music, providing solace to those at home and garnering 85K clicks on YouTube. This creative response to challenging times underscores his ability to bring joy through cultural expression.
In November 2022, Olsi's role as the coordinator of a mini-fair focused on Roma artisans showcased a commitment to revealing and celebrating the culture and activities of these artisans. This initiative not only fosters community unity but also highlights the economic aspect of cultural preservation.
Olsi's collaboration with Rromano Kham, supported by the Committee of National Minorities and the Ministry of Culture, resulted in the performance of well-known Roma songs. This project aimed not only to revive traditional Roma music but also to convey the authentic values of Roma songs, a testament to Olsi's dedication to preserving the rich musical heritage he inherited from his grandfather.
In summary, Olsi Sherifi's dynamic engagement in journalism, music, cultural events, and advocacy for the Roma community positions him as one of the person who raise voice for the Roma community. His multifaceted contributions reflect a profound commitment to cultural preservation, fostering understanding, and bringing joy through diverse artistic expressions

Add Director Biography