I mistakenly thought I had finished all titles from all previous editions of the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die back when we stuck at home during lockdown in 2020. However, after double-checking my reviews and the checklist, it turns out I missed this Albanian/Italian film, so I got on with it when I got the opportunity. Basically, set in Albania after the fall of communism, a pair of racketeers arrive from Italy, young man Gino (Enrico Lo Verso) originally from Sicily and the older Fiore (Michele Placido). They create a start-up scam shoe factory, with the intention to use the fake company to embezzle investors. With the help of an Albanian middleman, they decide to look for a figurehead "chairman", someone who will do what they say with no questions. Spiro Tozaj (Carmelo Di Mazzarelli) is a political prisoner who deserted to be with his family but has lost track of time and events of the world. He is unsure of his age and was imprisoned for many years. Gino and Fiore recruit him believing he is a man with no relatives, thinking he will be the perfect candidate for business, giving hope to local Albanians. Through numerous circumstances, the old man ends up in the middle of the Albanian outback, with Gino going after him to bring him back. It is later revealed that Spiro's real name is Michele Tallaricoof, a Sicilian. Gino tries many times to stay close to the old man, who continually tries to use local public transport to find his own way, with no idea where he is going. There are distressing incidents along the way, including Gino having the tyres stolen from his car, and Michele tortured by children when he is almost asphyxiated with smoke. Slowly, Gino and Michele agree to stand by each other. They communicate more through their travels, by car and by train. Gino gets to know more about Michele and his struggles through poverty. Michele becomes wiser, giving words of wisdom to Gino and the other younger characters he meets along the way. Trouble comes Gino's way when the business falls apart and he ends up in a jail himself. Corruption eventually leads Gino losing his freedom and departing on a cargo ship, along with hundreds of other refugees and travellers, bound for America. In the end, the two men, both Catholics, are brought back together, Gino and Michele realise they need each other the most. Also starring Piro Milkani as Selimi, and Elida Janushi as Selimi's Cousin. I will be honest and say that obviously I didn't fully understand all the political elements of the story, I was just caught up by the road movie style adventure between the young man and the older former prisoner. It is a good insight into how a country caught in turmoil can cause personal problems and change people, the Albanian locations are fascinating to see, and the two lead characters are engaging through their various exploits, an interesting drama. Worth watching!