One of the most rewarding aspects of being enamoured with global film history is the experience of discovering something that had never crossed your path previously but almost instantly became a cherished and fruitful experience once you allow yourself to engage with these works. We find that once you step out of the mainstream and start looking off the beaten path, there is a wealth of astonishing works that are incredibly engaging and compelling for several reasons. We often find these films nestled within the national cinemas of countries that rarely get discussed in the context of their artistic output, specifically those relating to film. It is not necessarily considered the most notable film to hail from the country, but one title that many natives of Albania adore is A Tale from the Past (Albanian: Përrallë nga e kaluara), in which director Dhimitër Anagnosti adapts segments from A Bridegroom at Fourteen by Andon Zako Çajupi, arguably one of the greatest works of fiction to come out of the country, emerging from the mind of perhaps its greatest writer. The film tells the story of a middle-aged couple who decide that they want to marry off their teenage son, solely for the sake of having his prospective wife marry into their family, which would be an immense help when it comes to domestic chores – but when a fourteen-year-old is forced into a position where he has to play house with a much older woman, chaos logically will always ensure. What seems to be a relatively simple narrative without any frills or narrative embellishments proves to be quite a layered, complex comedy that provides unique insights into several subjects, most of all the way the country operated at a very specific time in the past. There is a reason why A Tale from the Past normally emerges as one of the primary contenders when it comes to discussing Albania’s cinematic history, with its unfurnished, straightforward approach intermingling with an upbeat, hilarious and genuinely quite moving narrative to create an exceptional and resonant film.

Humour is a bizarre concept since every culture enjoys comedies, yet it is the genre that is most commonly misunderstood when outsiders to that specific group attempt to engage with the material. Very rarely do we find works that are universally funny, at least in terms of films produced since the advent of sound (slapstick is one of the few kinds of comedy that has proven to overcome geographical barriers almost to the point of having universal appeal), which means that seeking out more lighthearted works from other countries can sometimes be challenging, at least in terms of seeing their appeal. However, A Tale from the Past is a fantastic example of how this can easily be done, since despite its cultural specificity, there is a quality that transcends these details and becomes very appealing, regardless of the viewer and their background. The key here is found in the fact that Anagnosti doesn’t attempt to do a completely faithful adaptation of the novel, which is a lot denser and more complex (while still being outrageously funny – you only need to read a few segments to realize its ingenuity – and this is coming from a translated version, which proves the strength of Çajupi’s writing), choosing fragments that he pieces together into a mostly accurate, but still very simple, version of this story. Additionally, he chooses to focus on the romance more than any other element, which is another almost universal concept – the idea of two people being forced into an arranged marriage solely because the matriarch has grown too lazy to do the housework herself is an objectively funny concept, and the film’s view of romance, while seemingly quite limited, proves to be genuinely entertaining. A heartfelt comedy of errors that knows not to take itself too seriously, A Tale from the Past is a delightfully funny film that proves to be a tender but pointed twist on the romantic comedy genre, which the director elegantly subverts throughout the narrative, yielding terrific results in the process.

Beyond the delightful approach to humour, we find that A Tale from the Past is equally as strong as a romantic comedy as it is a cultural document. This film acts as a whistle-stop tour through Albanian history, taking place at the turn of the 20th century and focusing on a time when life was much simpler for these people. Throughout the film, we are witness to the director’s attempts to leap into the past, telling a story that is fascinating and detailed, and serves multiple purposes. For Albanian natives, the film represents a voyage into the past, a chance for them to explore their history in a way that is delightful poetic, and deeply resonant. For outsiders, the film exists to be a snapshot into the country’s past, providing a succinct but fascinating glimpse into the customs and traditions of these people, many of which are still ingrained in the nation’s culture. It isn’t surprising that the text on which A Tale from the Past is based was written by someone who is considered one of Albania’s greatest cultural and political revolutionaries, a radical voice at a time when the country was undergoing quite a substantial cultural shift. His voice is strong, and even in the wackiest and most off-the-wall moments, his influence as one of the most important writers of his generation can be felt. Anagnosti puts as much effort into the historical details as he does the humour, oscillating between the two and mastering the tones perfectly, and in the process creating a striking, earnest film that carries a lot of significance and proves to be a lot more engaging than we would expect based on a cursory glance. It’s a project in which he took a lot of pride, and absolutely every frame of the film feels like a labour of love, which makes a substantial difference since it shows so much affection for the culture and creates a very welcoming atmosphere for those who may not be entirely aware of the cultural details that underpin this film.

One of the other tremendously satisfying aspects of exploring films made in countries usually absent from the cultural conversation is that we get to encounter a range of tremendous actors that we would have otherwise not known had we not witnessed their work, since they usually remained within their national cinema and very rarely ventured outside of these borders. A Tale from the Past is brimming with talented actors, with the film’s more ensemble-based structure lending itself to several terrific performances that are genuine and captivating, and filled with so much heart and soul, as well as a kind of irreverent humour that is difficult to mimic. The central duo consists of Elvira Diamanti as the prospective bride forced into a marriage with a child, and Admir Sorra as her betrothed, a young man who would much rather be existing in his state of childish teenage angst than being a husband. The latter’s parents are played by Robert Ndrenika (one of the most celebrated actors in Albania, and someone who has made a considerable impact on stage and in film) and Hajrie Rondo, who are both the heart of the film and the people responsible for all of the funniest and most eccentric moments. The reason these performances manage to work so well is because there is a level of detail to each one of them – these are not over-the-top archetypes, but rather well-crafted, complex characters that are not at all stereotypical. Most of the humour comes from the human element, and how they each react to the increasing absurdity that surrounds them. It helps adhere to the tender, almost enchanting tone and allows for a genuinely very funny comedy that is as irreverent as it is charming, the two working beautifully in tandem to create something extremely memorable, the actors being one of the primary reasons it works.

Based on a cursory glance, you would be forgiven for overlooking A Tale from the Past, which on the surface seems to be a delightful but slight comedy that doesn’t have much depth. However, this is a case where we’d almost universally agree that being proven wrong has never been more worthwhile, since those who give this film a chance will encounter one of the most moving, compelling comedies produced in the region, and a true delight from the beginning to end. There’s a lot of heart that went into the creation of this film, which proves to be an unexpectedly delicate affair, a well-crafted comedy with a lot of sincerity in how it approaches its central themes, whether it be the small-scale romance that drives the narrative or the over-arching cultural details that are found throughout. There are many moments where it is simply too charming to describe, and it shows such genuine affection for its subject matter that it becomes remarkably entertaining, even when it is focusing on the cultural details that form the foundation of the narrative. It’s a wonderful entry-point into Albanian cinema, which has been sadly under-represented on the global stage, with the unique visual approach (which is simple but effective) being coupled with a genuinely wonderful narrative to create a poignant, heartfelt depiction of romance as seen by people who are trying to find a way to survive in a changing world. The humour is sharp and effective, and the director ensures that everything feels genuinely meaningful, even in the more off-the-wall moments. A Tale from the Past is a wonderful film, and a perfect representation of what Albanian cinema has to offer, which are soulful, entertaining stories that prioritize culture and carry an immense historical weight that is impossible to overlook.