Deep Grief, Big Oath

At the time of his death in 1985, Enver Hoxha, along with Fidel Castro, was one of the world’s longest-ruling absolute dictators. This doc highlights the cult-like, nearly religious fervor that accompanied the passing of the seventy-six year old Hoxha, a three pack a day smoker and diabetic who’d already suffered two heart attacks and a stroke. Though the funeral and burial were carefully choreographed, amid the uncontrollable sobbing is a traumatized Albania uncertain of what the future holds.