Synopsis

Sevdije is a 13-year-old Albanian wrestler defying conventions in North Macedonia’s complex societal landscape. As the only girl in a male-dominated wrestling club, she embodies resilience. Against the backdrop of the nation’s history, marked by a little-known civil war in 2001, Sadije’s story unfolds. On a unique international athletic stage, amidst her own challenges of adolescence, she has to navigate a complicated battleground where macho opinions sometimes overpower her, languages became barriers but also great ties, into a common culture.

Director’s Statement

As a filmmaker, I am profoundly fascinated by the ability of sports narratives to transcend the confines of the arena and explore broader societal issues. My interest lies in how sports can become more than just a spectacle of competition, transforming into a prism through which we can observe and understand the complexities of a nation’s ambitions, goals, as well as its social and political situations.

I also bring a unique sensitivity to Sadije’s character and the challenges she faces, fully understanding the persistent sexist biases not only in sports but beyond.

Recently, while directing a film that intersects American football, Islamophobia, and French identity, I gained a more nuanced understanding of how crucial representation is. I also touched on the obstacles faced by individuals navigating diverse cultural and social environments. It is with this sensitivity that I want to approach Sadije’s story.

Over the past five months, my creative team and I, consisting of local producer Romir Jakupi, award-winning cinematographer Fejmi Dauti (Honeyland, 2019), and editor Avdi Thauchi, have been fully immersed in this project. We all live in within 30 minutes walk from Sadije and the team, making this a story that’s right at our doorstep.

My approach, grounded in extensive research and ongoing development, has allowed me to gain Sadije’s complete trust. I’ve personally spent over six months attending daily training sessions from Monday to Friday. This intimacy has enabled us to capture authentic and moving moments, reflecting the true essence of Sadije and her unique journey.

Pauline Blanchet

Short bio of Director

As a film director and producer, Pauline Blanchet delves into the complexities of urban areas in transition, uncovering the impact of external forces such as digital infrastructure, corporate regeneration programs, and international sporting events on local inhabitants. As the founder of Aral Sea Productions, she has crafted a body of work that is both insightful and thought-provoking, supported by organisations such as Ateliers Médicis and Sundance Co//ab. In addition to her film work, Pauline has also produced over five podcasts and held the position of senior producer at World Radio Paris. Her work has been showcased at festivals and events around the world and has been invited to speak at conferences on her research about collaborative filmmaking. More recently, she has started working with XR storytelling methods in order to communicate the impact of noise pollution in the Arctic.

With a background in Development Studies and Linguistics from SOAS and an MA in Urban History and Culture from ULIP, Pauline brings a unique perspective to her work.