Friend (film, 2015)

The film begins with the scene of Kosovo at present, in which an adult Petrite (Kushtrim Sheremeti) finds an old bicycle, similar to the bicycle of his friend Oka, in the middle of the road.

The story shifts back to the 1990s, the war in Kosovo and is centered on two young guys, Petrit (Lum Veseli) and Oka (Andi Baygor). At the beginning of the film, the two ride Oka’s new bike to get acquainted with a group of Serbian soldiers whom Petrit gives several pieces of paper for cigarette rolls. The soldier's leader, Dragan (Ashref Durmishi), pays Petrit for paper, and Petrit shares money with Oka. Okie stays overnight with the Petrit family, and Petrit asks him about another paper delivery the next day. Okie squirts first, thinking that the soldiers cannot be trusted; but Petrit assures him that they are safe, showing him the gun, which he hid away. He also says that he will soon be able to buy his bike for the money he earns, and Okie agrees to help him again.

The guys come to the soldier’s shelter, the first soldier (Fisnik Ademi) asks them why they are here and Petrit says to see Dragan, Petrit brings Dragan more paper; but when they leave, one of the soldiers takes the bike from Oka, intending to give it to his nephew. But Petrit insists that he give the soldier a bicycle, but Okie resists; he later scolds Petrit for collaborating with the soldiers, calling him a traitor. Okie does not talk with Petrit for several days, despite the apology of the latter, until the bus on which they rode was stopped by the soldiers. Boys and a number of other guys get off the bus and search them; and when a soldier finds the Albanian school books in Oka’s backpack, Petrit claims they are his. In response, Dragan hits Petrit in the stomach with the butt of his rifle.

Okie comes later to thank Petrit, and the boys make peace. Okie again spends the night at Petrit, but the next morning the soldiers invaded the house. Petrita and his family were led outside and lined up along the wall, while Oka remained inside the house. While the soldier is threatening Petrit with the gun barrel, Oka appears, aiming the Petrit pistol at the soldier. A soldier picks up an unloaded gun and throws it out to Okie. Another soldier orders them to leave the city and not return, otherwise they will be killed. Petrit and his family, Oka and several other residents leave the city, taking their belongings. They see a little boy riding Oka's bike. Okie looks back at him when the boy drives past, suddenly one of the soldiers shoots Okie in the head, killing him. Petrit, splattered with the blood of Oka, continues to walk with his family.

The film switches to adult Petrita. He rides a bicycle and eventually arrives in an empty, ruined city, looking at him lonely, while the film ends.

• Lum Veseli (Petrit)
• Kushtrim Sheremeti (adult Petrit)
• Andy Bygora (Oki)
• Eshref Durmishi (Dragan)
• Acemi Fiscist (Soldier)

• shokshortfilm.com - Friend official site
• " Friend " (in English) on the Internet Movie Database website (in English) on the Internet Movie Database website