By Vlad Zakh · December 27, 2025
Albania Drama thought provoking
Albanian cinema spent decades under strict communist-era censorship, and its post-1990s films largely excavate what that isolation cost. The Forgiveness of Blood has a modern teenager’s life upended by an ancient blood-feud code, Slogans has a young teacher assigned to spell out propaganda in a remote village, and Sworn Virgin follows a woman raised as a man under the burrnesha tradition. Bota, Aga’s House, Cold November and Amsterdam Express round out the list.
01 A modern Albanian teenager's life is upended by an ancient blood-feud code that traps his family.
Directed by Joshua Marston · 1h 49m
Stream: Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Rent or buy: Google Play Movies, YouTube
02 A young teacher assigned to a remote village is tasked with spelling out communist propaganda in hedges.
Directed by Gjergj Xhuvani · 1h 30m
03 A cafe on the Albanian coast becomes a meeting point for people each trying to escape their own past.
Directed by Iris Elezi & Thomas Logoreci · 1h 44m
04 A woman raised as a man under Albania's ancient burrnesha tradition confronts her identity after moving to Italy.
Directed by Laura Bispuri · 1h 27m
Stream: Metrograph, Strand Releasing Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
05 A war-widowed refugee running a household of orphans in a UN camp faces the loss of the home she has built.
Directed by Lendita Zeqiraj · 1h 47m
06 A young girl growing up in a decaying industrial Albanian town watches her family slowly come apart.
Directed by Karl Jacob · 1h 32m
Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Sky Store
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store
07 A young Albanian woman's attempt to reach her fiance abroad is derailed by traffickers posing as helpers.
Directed by Fatmir Koçi · 1h 47m
Rent or buy: Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Rent or buy: Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.
