East, West, East: The Final Sprint () is a 2009 Albanian comedy film directed and written by Gjergj Xhuvani. The film is about an amateur cycling team from Albania that learns while on their way to France to take part in a tournament that a revolution is underway in Albania.
Plot Ilo Zoto was a competitive cyclist for twenty years, but retired from the sport. In 1990, Ilo is assigned by Albania's government to create a team of five cyclists to represent the country in a race in France. On their way to France they go to Trieste, where they see a revolution break out in Albania. They are unable to contact anybody in Albania and their remaining funds will only allow them to ride their bicycles to France.
Cast Ndricim Xhepa as Ilo Zoto Helidon Fino as Gimi Fation Pustina as Ceti Ervin Bejleri Gentian Hazizi Lulzim Zeqja Romir Zalla
Production An Albanian and Italian coproduction, East, West, East: The Final Sprint was produced by Albanian General Vision, Fast Rewind, and ISSTRA Creative Factory. Gjergj Xhuvani directed and wrote the film. The cinematography was done by Roberta Allegrini and it was edited by Claudio M. Cutry. 35 mm colour film was used for filming. Financial support was provided by the National Center of Cinematography.
Release High Point Films acquired the international distribution rights for the film. The National Center of Cinematography selected it as Albania's nominee for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film at the 83rd Academy Awards, but it was not one of the finalists.
Reception Nick Holdsworth, writing for Variety, praised the performances of the film's ensemble cast.
Awards Gjergj Xhuvani won the Best Director award at the Tirana Film Festival.
See also List of submissions to the 83rd Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film List of Albanian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
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