Saimir (film)

Not to be confused with Saimin (film) or Samir (film).

Saimir
Directed by	Francesco Munzi
Screenplay by	Francesco Munzi Serena Brugnolo Dino Gentili
Produced by	Cristiano Bortone Daniele Mazzocca Gianluca Arcopinto
Cinematography	Vladan Radovic
Edited by	Roberto Missiroli
Music by	Giuliano Taviani
Distributed by	Istituto Luce
Release date	2004 (2004)
Languages	Italian Albanian

Saimir is a 2004 Italian drama film co-written and directed by Francesco Munzi, in his feature film debut. It premiered at the 61st Venice International Film Festival.

Cast

• Mishel Manoku as Saimir
• Lavinia Guglielman as Michela
• Xhevdet Ferri as Edmond
• Anna Ferruzzo as Simona
• Anita Kravos as Mira

Release

The film premiered in the Orizzonti section at the 61st edition of the Venice Film Festival, in which it received a Lion of the Future special mention. ^{[1] [2]}

Reception

Variety's critic Jay Weissberg praised the film, writing: "engrossing character study of a teen struggling to find the proper path doesn't wipe away stereotypes so much as plumbs them for the truths beyond the archetype, though occasionally hampered by commonplace dialogue". ^[3]

For this film Munzi won a Nastro d'Argento Award for Best New Director and received a David di Donatello nomination in the same category and an European Film Award nomination as European Discovery of the Year. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

References

1. "Festival di Venezia: il Luce acquista 'Saimir' e 'Le grand voyage'". Box Office Biz (in Italian). 12 September 2004. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
2. Staff (12 September 2004). "'Drake' takes cake in Venice". Variety . Retrieved 14 November 2025.
3. Weissberg, Jay (10 September 2004). "Saimir". Variety. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
4. "Nastri d'Argento, trionfo di «Romanzo Criminale»". La Stampa (in Italian). 7 February 2006. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
5. "David di Donatello, le nomination". TGcom (in Italian). 4 April 2006. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
6. Feuillère, Anne (7 November 2005). "Haneke heads list with some surprises". Cineuropa . Retrieved 14 November 2025.

External links

• Saimir at IMDb