Alexander (2023 film)

Alexander is a 2023 Albanian-American documentary film written and directed by Ardit Sadiku. In the film, a gripping tale unfolds about a remarkable event that occurred in 1990 in Albania. Alexander Gruda, a mechanic who had been fired by the navy for his dissidence, embarked on one of the most daring feats in recent human history: hijacking a warship to secure freedom for himself and his family. The film had its world premiere during the documentary film festival Dokufest in Kosovo on 6 August 2023, and an Albanian cinema premiere on 5 October of the same year.

The film was selected as the Albanian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.

Content
During the fall of Communism in Albania in 1990, ship mechanic Alexander Gruda undertook one of the most daring feats of recent human history. Shortly after being fired from the Albanian Navy, he and his friends hatched a piratical plan to steal a warship in order to flee the country. Against all odds, they reached Yugoslavia, enduring mortar fire, helicopters, and machine guns. The refugees later emigrated to the West, but the journey cost them dearly as Alexander's daughter lost her life. In America, Alexander started anew as a concierge at Trump Tower in New York. Now, drawn by the past, he returns to Albania in order to attend a memorial service for the daughter he lost.

Reception
On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes website, the film has an approval rating of 100% based on 6 reviews, with an average rating of 7/10.

Eddie Harrison, reviewing for Film Authority, highlighted that the film is an extraordinary story that requires to be told carefully and without sensationalizing the content; there’s no animations, celebrity contributors, artful needle-drops; it’s a moving, sobering film that looks at the delicate balance between success and failure, and the personal cost that can go with freedom.