Aga's House offers a glimpse into the lives of women residing in a refuge house in the remote hills of Kosovo. Led by Emira, Luma, Kumrija, and Gjyla, the group navigates their complex relationships and past traumas amidst their secluded existence. Zdenka, a Croatian woman, disrupts the dynamics within the community, prompting young Aga to form a connection with her. When Zdenka attempts suicide, Aga enlists the help of Cera, a local man who isn’t allowed to visit the home, to transport her to a hospital. Director Lendita Zeqiraj employs long takes and jittery camerawork to capture the essence of the characters and their struggles. Through candid conversations, the women's unresolved traumas gradually come to light.
Almost every part of this film is grating, and that seems to be its design. This will frustrate most viewers and even some of those who enjoy such film experiments. Personally, I couldn’t stand being shaken by the constant camera movement: It was so much and so extreme at times that it triggered motion sickness, a problem I haven’t had since childhood. The bones of the story are interesting, and Aga’s character development is compelling, but these elements are too few and far between to hold casual interest.
Instead, we’re bombarded by the foul-mouthed and seemingly senseless insults the women throw at one another for over an hour. Many actions taken by the characters make little sense, adding to viewer's confusion and frustration. All said, Aga’s House is a failed experiment in dramatic filmmaking, creating an experience few will want based on a short film’s worth of content stretched far too thin over 100 minutes of screen time. Optional purchase.