– How old were you when you first arrived to UK?
# I was in my twenties.
– What were some of the difficulties you encountered when you first arrived in UK?
# There were many: Financial, Work, Studying, not being able to travel back home, not being able to communicate with my family. Not speaking the language not being able to cope will life, and make new friends. Feeling homesick all the time, etc!
– How did you overcome these difficulties, did you get any help, if so from whom?
# No, unfortunately, I didn’t get much help. I felt so isolated, it was terrible, I still feel that pain. But I still carried on and finished my education.
– How would you describe the Kosovan community in the UK at the time, worries and concerns about families back in Kosova, ability to settle in the UK, their hopes for the future etc?
# Well, at the time the political situation in Kosova, was in everybody’s mind. The fact that I was studying I didn’t have much time to socialize with others, which made it even harder for me. Our hope was to be free soon.
– How did you come to contact with BAKC and in what capacity did you get involved with the organization?
# I was working for Waltham Forest Social Services in Leyton, at the time as a youth worker. BAKC had a project there so I got to meet Caroline Blake and other staff, they saw me working with young people, and the rest is history as they say!!!
– What were BAKC projects at the time and how would you value the service that BAKC was providing for the community?
# If I can remember it correctly one of their activities was football, and bringing the young people together to socialize as well by offering other activities as well such as cooking etc.
– When and how did the idea about the film come about?
# I always wanted to contribute for my culture. Since I was studying drama it was obvious that I will do something that had to do with our struggle. I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to write about the war, but as it happened, then the war influenced me that way.
– I am sure that there were many but please list some of the difficulties in completing your film project?
# Funding was the main difficulty! But also it is incredible how little encouragement and support you get from people in Kosova.Jimmi Tohovsi
– Besides documenting some of the occurrences and suffering during the war what is the message that you wanted to put across through the film?
# I tried to ease the pain of the people by not focusing only how bad the Serbs were but to show that there were good ones as well. Some that had some human feelings towards Albanians as well.
– Name some of the venues where the film has been shown so far?
#ABC Prishtina, DOKU-KINO Prizren, “Avdush Hasani” cinema in Podujeva, Mitrovica. Currently being shown in Peja and all the Kosovan cities are to follow.
– How has the reception been by audiences?
# They love the production as a whole. Obviously, for some people, it is difficult to relax for a moment and try to enjoy the film, and see the film for what it is. But I understand them, as they still carry so much pain in them from the horrors of the war.
– Is there going to be more screenings in London and elsewhere in the UK?
# YEEEES.
On the 17/Dec at 13:00, at Tricycle Cinema in Kilburn.
Please feel free to recommend to anyone who would be interested to see it.
– Is there going to be a “Kesulat 2”
# No. I don’t think this story would work like that. But there will be more projects to follow.
– What are your future plans for filmmaking in general?
# I am working on ideas with Kosova being the focal point. I am not so sure that I will be doing them in the Albanian language though. Not viable financially.
– Is there anything that you would like to add?
# I would like to thank BAKC, for my time with them. I congratulate you on such great work that you have been doing for over a decade. I wish you the best.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk to you.
– Jimi we wish the best with future plans and everything else.
