Meet Rita Krasniqi | Writer & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rita Krasniqi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rita, why did you pursue a creative career?
I never forget the day I first saw Milos Forma’s Amadeus. I was astonished. The imagery of it felt as if a neoclassical painting was moving and telling a story. The mastery behind the directing made you forget you’re watching a movie. The acting grabbed you for the very first moment you meet Salieri. The laughs, the cries, and the genius follow you from the very first moment to the very end. About a year and a half, almost every night, I would watch this movie and dream that one day I would be able to tell such stories that will make the audience leave the theater in awe. Therefore, at the age of ten, I decided to pursue a creative career. I decided to become a storyteller. My parents have been supportive from the beginning. They set me on the path of various disciplines such as painting, theatre, books, and movies. In the end, these disciplines have helped me shape into the storyteller I have become today.
I believe art is a tool for healing as well as expression. Life throws us in situations that drain us both emotionally and physically. However, movies or any form of art have pulled us into a different world and forget about our endeavors. Therefore, it is a delight to make movies and write stories that help people escape their reality and jump into a world of fiction where they relate with the characters and enjoy the journey.

Storytelling is the most valuable histographer. It records events both visually and verbally. It reaches and welcomes people from all over the world. In doing so, people learn from one another and come together to share their stories. Understanding its value, necessity, and emotional impact, I chose to work in such a challenging field. Telling stories that need to be heard, collaborating with talented people, and sharing such experiences brings me such fulfillment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a young girl, I have always been interested in stories that fight injustice. I come from a third-world country in southeast Europe where injustice hovers heavily in the air. As a storyteller, I want to tell stories that amplify the voices lost in the crowd and support those who need help. My short film Drita(2018), a project dear to my heart, focuses on the special-needs war victims who have suffered sexual violence. The fragile nature of such a story taught me to be brave and tell stories of perspectives we often do not pay as much attention to as we ought to.

My latest short film Adelina(2020), was an experience that taught me things that lean more toward leadership and patience. This film focuses on the LGBTQI+ community in third-world countries and their ongoing struggles with society as they remain socially outcasted.

Witnessing such injustice ignited a fire that set me on the path to fight against it. I want my work to be known for its humanity. As I have stated earlier, storytelling is a histographer, and I would like to use it for such causes that bring hope, comfort, and joy. “I hear you. I see you. You are worthy.” I want my work to resonate those words with all those who need to hear them. I want people to know that I am here to tell their stories.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I think COVID-19 has imprisoned our outgoing personas. However, I would take them to Koreatown for soju and Korean BBQ. Little Tokyo for ramen and sushi. I would walk with them on Hollywood Boulevard and hang out around the Dolby Theater. I would take them hiking at Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park. I love Downtown Burbank, so I would spend an afternoon there while eating Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. I am a big musicals fan. So if Pantages Theatre is open, I would take them to a show. Preferably Fiddler on the Roof, since it’s my all-time favorite musical. I would venture down to Santa Monica to see the glowing waves. Lastly, I would take them to Lou, The French On The Block, and eat delicious and authentic French pastries.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people that I would like to say thank you for their help and support. Friends, classmates, and mentors have lent me a shoulder to lean on. I am very thankful, and their support is greatly appreciated. However, my parents have been my best friends, mentors, and muses. I was lucky to have been brought up by an amazing woman and an amazing man. My mother, who fights injustice every day and inspires people globally, has taught me to be ambitious and believe in myself. Her input as a sociologist has influenced my work, focusing on social issues. She inspires and encourages me to continue learning and improving my skills. My father, a visual artist, has influenced and guided me to understand visual storytelling. His input as a graphic designer has been an aid to incorporate other forms of art into my own. Therefore, my mother and father are the two people I would like to dedicate this shoutout to. They always have been my support both emotionally and artistically, and no doubt will continue to be. Although I want to share my stories with people from all over the world, I always aim to tell stories that my parents will enjoy. Most importantly, I want to share stories that will make them proud.

Website: www.ritakrasniqi.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-krasniqi-a83529179/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ritulinjo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rita.krasniqi

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgZdtPaeHEVUggiDCPCpPuA

Other: https://www.ritakrasniqistories.online/

Image Credits
Uran Krasniqi Anna Vialova