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Gjakmarrja:
Albania’s Revenged BloodThe Kanun Code, which historically spanned the Balkans since the 15th century was a set of customary laws divided into six sections as guides on how people should live their lives. In the early 20th century they were finally transcribed and people from many districts still adhere to parts of The Kanun over the Albanian judicial system. One of the categories focuses on criminal law, in particular Gjakmarrja (literally ‘blood-taking’), which allows the revenge of blood feuds in a like for like manner; this means that any male member of the murderer’s family may be targeted for revenge by the family of the victim.
During the communist years this tradition was virtually wiped out, however since the regime’s fall the number of blood feud cases has risen sharply. Organisations responsible for the prevention of blood-feuds, recently reported there to be over 1,000 families in more than 750 villages and cities still suffering from the effects of these laws, some having been self imprisoned for over ten years. This ongoing documentary studies mediators, who work to reconcile blood feuds and follows two families that live in a constant state of suspense and despair, forever waiting for freedom.
Arjanit, has been targeted as a victim in an ongoing blood feud for the past 6 years. Five years ago at the age of 16 he escaped to the UK illegally to seek asylum. After turning 18 and being denied asylum in the UK, he continued to live underground before being caught and deported in 2011. Arjanit sits after a full day of collecting berries on the mountain. This is their only form of income, which is sold illegally over the Kosovan border.
Dilapidated military buildings from the Kosovan Conflict forms part of the living quarters for a family 'in blood'.
Arjanit contacts his girlfriend in the UK, to arrange their marriage. The union would be an opportunity for a new life.
Members of the Mafia join the family to offer and display their protection. A goat is prepared to be roasted as a celebration whilst children are shown to use pistols.
Dilapidated military buildings from the Kosovan Conflict forms part of the family's living quarters.
Arjanit sleeps in one of the outhouses to protect the buildings from intruders.
Members of the Mafia drink with Mahmudi, Arjanit's father (right), whilst offering protection to his family after becoming victims of a blood feud.
After only four months back at home, following an ambush, Arjanit decided to flee the country once again in search of safety and freedom. In order to avoid being attacked he made a detour around the village and left before first light.
Agim Loci, director of House of Justice and National Reconciliation works to mediate and prevent blood feuds. Agim began mediating at the age of 23 when a friend tried to rape a girl. His family has had a long history of mediation and is respected as one of the only honest mediators.
Gjin Marku, a mediator and Chairman for the National Committe of Reconciliation comes to visit a young couple that have been hiding in Tirana for over three years. Gjin Marku has since been charged and his organisation denounced by the state, for the sale of fake blood feud papers to Albanians guaranteeing them asylum abroad.
The lawless Albanian mountains loom in the background of Burrell.
Pjeter Gjoka is a mediator from Lezhe. Although he continues to work as cases arise, Pjeter is not repected by other mediators because he is known to raise the price of forgiveness money, to take a percentage for himself.
Atrida Ferketi, Shkodra Education Directorate, is responsible for 'Second Chance' a program that claims to provide education to all self imprisoned children in the district. The government statistics, however, are much lower than those of NGO's and mediators, questioning the validity of the programme.
A derelict communist amphitheatre stands in Tirana's main park. Under the communist regime blood feuds were virtually wiped as people feared the repercussions, however now people often prefer to take revenge into their own hands.
Elona Prroj, the widow of Dritan, a priest who was killed for revenge in Shkodra. Traditionally priests could not be targeted in a blood feud. Elona has since created 'No to Blood Feud Yes to Life' which provides support and basic food packages to self imprisoned families.
Valter was self imprisoned with his family for seven months after his brother killed two men. He has since escaped to Belgium where he is seeking asylum.
Hajredin Barçi and his family have been self imprisoned since august 2011, after one of his sons killed two men. Since then they have fled from their house, leaving behind livestock and crops, to calm the situation.
A memorial of an ancestor killed in a blood feud hangs in the family home.
Valter Barci, has been self imprisoned from a blood feud since August 2011, after his brother murdered a neighbouring family.
Hajredin sits, confined to the space of the house for the past 7 months after his son murdered two men.
The calf is skinned, gutted and quartered before being given to the butchers to take to the market.
The youngest child learns to walk, whilst watching a calf being slaughtered.
Valter lies with his niece, whose father has been in prison since murdering two men.- Back
