The Forgiveness of Blood

The Forgiveness of Blood
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoshua Marston
Written byJoshua Marston
Andamion Murataj
StarringTristan Halilaj
CinematographyRob Hardy
Edited byMalcolm Jamieson
Release dates
  • 18 February 2011 (2011-02-18) (Berlinale)
  • 17 September 2011 (2011-09-17) (Albania)
Running time
109 minutes
CountriesUnited States
Albania
LanguageAlbanian

The Forgiveness of Blood (Albanian: Falja e Gjakut) is a 2011 drama film co-written and directed by Joshua Marston. The film premiered in competition at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival and competed for the Golden Bear. Marston and co-writer Andamion Murataj won the Silver Bear for Best Script.

The film was originally submitted as the Albanian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film, but it was rejected when Bujar Alimani, director of Amnesty, protested that The Forgiveness of Blood ought not to be eligible due to American input on the project. The AMPAS disqualified it and Albania submitted Alimani's film instead.

The film deals with the consequences of a blood feud on a family in a remote area of modern-day Albania.