) , narrator = , starring =

Blerim Destani Blerim Destani is an Albanian Macedonian actor and producer. He is best known for his roles in ''Time of the Comet'' and ''Dossier K.'' Biography Destani was born in Stolberg near Aachen, West Germany. He spent his childhood in Tetovo, Tetovo ...

Masiela Lusha Masiela Lusha (; born October 23, 1985) is an Albanian-born American actress and author. She gained recognition for playing Carmen Lopez on the globally syndicated ABC sitcom ''George Lopez'', a role that earned her two consecutive Young Artist ...

Xhevdet Ferri

Thomas Heinze Thomas Heinze (born 30 March 1964) is a German actor. He has appeared in more than one hundred films since 1988. Selected filmography References External links * 1964 births Living people German male film actors German male tele ...

Vlado Jovanovski Vlado Jovanovski ( mk, Владо Јовановски; born 27 February 1967) is Macedonian actor. His film credits include principal roles in prominent Macedonian films such as ''Bal-Can-Can'' and ''Mirage''. Filmography * ''Slovenski Orfej'' ( ...

Çun Lajçi , music = Nexhat Mujovi , cinematography = , editing = , studio = , distributor = , released = 2008 , runtime = 104 minutes , country = Albania , language = Albanian , budget = $2 million , gross = ''Time of the Comet'' ( sq, Koha e Kometës) is a 2008 Albanian historical drama/

black comedy Black comedy, also known as dark comedy, morbid humor, or gallows humor, is a style of comedy that makes light of subject matter that is generally considered taboo, particularly subjects that are normally considered serious or painful to discus ...

film adapted from the 1985 novel by Albanian author

Ismail Kadare Ismail Kadare (; spelled Ismaïl Kadaré in French; born on 28 January 1936) is an Albanian novelist, poet, essayist, screenwriter, and playwright. He is a leading international literary figure and intellectual. He focused on poetry until the pu ...

titled ''Black Year'' ( sq, Viti i Mbrapshtë). The film was directed by Fatmir Koçi, while

and

starred in the leading roles.

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

bodybuilder and actor Ralf Möller also appeared in the film.

Plot

The film takes place in 1914 when

William of Wied Prince Wilhelm of Wied (German: ''Wilhelm Friedrich Heinrich Prinz zu Wied'', 26 March 1876 – 18 April 1945), reigned briefly as sovereign of the Principality of Albania as Vilhelm I from 7 March to 3 September 1914, when he left for exile. Hi ...

was enthroned as Prince of Albania, and the

Principality of Albania The Principality of Albania ( al, Principata e Shqipërisë or ) refers to the short-lived monarchy in Albania, headed by Wilhelm, Prince of Albania, that lasted from the Treaty of London of 1913 which ended the First Balkan War, through ...

was

occupied ' (Norwegian: ') is a Norwegian political thriller TV series that premiered on TV2 on 5 October 2015. Based on an original idea by Jo Nesbø, the series is co-created with Karianne Lund and Erik Skjoldbjærg. Season 2 premiered on 10 October ...

by all the neighbouring countries. Shestan (Blerim Destani), a young idealist villager forms a band and travels the country trying to find enemy troops to fight. During his journeys he comes across many opposing factions like the Ottoman loyalist band of Kus Baba (Çun Lajçi) and meets Agnes (Masiela Lusha), whose father wants her to become a Catholic nun, and falls in love with her. However, Shestan continues his journey and arrives at Prince William's headquarters where he offers his services and asks to fight on the frontline but the prince mocks his willingness to fight. Shestan, while being extremely disappointed decides to return to his village but on the way back home he comes across Agnes who has been kidnapped by "Mad Ahmed", a Muslim extremist and saves her. After arriving home Shestan and Agnes get married but on their wedding day

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria Archduke Franz Ferdinand Carl Ludwig Joseph Maria of Austria, (18 December 1863 – 28 June 1914) was the heir presumptive to the throne of Austria-Hungary. His assassination in Sarajevo was the most immediate cause of World War I. F ...

, heir apparent to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife,

Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg (; cs, Žofie Marie Josefína Albína hraběnka Chotková z Chotkova a Vojnína 1 March 1868 – 28 June 1914) was the wife of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. Their assas ...

, are assassinated in

Sarajevo Sarajevo ( ; cyrl, Сарајево, ; ''see Names of European cities in different languages (Q–T)#S, names in other languages'') is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a population of 275,524 in its a ...

marking the beginning of

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. When Shestan learns about the beginning of the war, his companions ask him about their future actions and the film ends with Shestan replying to them "Play the music louder".

Cast

as Shestan *

as Agnes * as Agnes's father *

William, Prince of Albania Prince Wilhelm of Wied ( German: ''Wilhelm Friedrich Heinrich Prinz zu Wied'', 26 March 1876 – 18 April 1945), reigned briefly as sovereign of the Principality of Albania as Vilhelm I from 7 March to 3 September 1914, when he left for exile. ...

as Meto *

Çun Lajçi Çun Lajçi, or Çun Dreli, is an Albanian musician, author, theater actor, film actor, drama teacher. He is famous for reciting poems to girls '' The Highland Lute'' (''Lahuta e Malsisë''). He is also a lahuta player. Lajçi has played over 200 ...

as Kus Babaj * Ralf Möller as Freiherr von Keittel * Blerim Gjoci *Xhevdet Jashari * Luan Jaha as Doskë Mokrari *

Bes Kallaku Besart Kallaku (born 21November 1985), commonly known as Bes Kallaku is an Albanian actor, comedian, singer and retired footballer who played as a forward. Career Currently, he is hosting BE Cafe TV show at Klan TV. He is famously known for a ...

*Adem Karaga *

Gentian Zenelaj Gentian Zenelaj (born 13 August 1977) is an Albanian actor and comedian mostly known by his appearance in Portokalli (2004-2007) and in Apartment 2XL (2008–2013). He began his career in 2004 in the show Portokalli with the group ShBLSh, w ...

Reception

''Time of the Comet'' was very successful in Albania and set a new box office record. Fatmir Koçi, the director of the film was criticized because of the script changes he made while adapting

's novel. American actress

received praise for her acting performance, however some questioned her level of knowledge in the rural ''

Gheg Gheg (also spelled Geg; Gheg Albanian: ''gegnishtja'', Standard sq, gegërishtja) is one of the two major varieties of Albanian, the other being Tosk. The geographic dividing line between the two varieties is the Shkumbin River, which winds ...

'' Albanian dialect. Lusha is known to speak the official Midland Albanian dialect. Çun Lajçi's performance as Kus Baba was also praised by many critics.

Awards

The film won the ''Audience Award'' in the Prishtina International Film Festival and the ''Best Albanian Movie'' in the International Summer Film Festival, held in the city of

Durrës Durrës ( , ; sq-definite, Durrësi) is the second most populous city of the Republic of Albania and seat of Durrës County and Durrës Municipality. It is located on a flat plain along the Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast between the mouths of ...

for the first time.

References

External links

* * *{{AllRovi movie, 478469, Time of the Comet 2008 films Albanian comedy-drama films Albanian-language films Films based on Albanian novels Films set in 1914 Films set in Albania 2008 black comedy films World War I films 2008 comedy films