Director's statement

When I made "Sworn Virgin", I wanted to explore identity as something shaped by both necessity and desire. Inspired by the Albanian tradition of “burnesha,” the film follows Hana, who renounces her womanhood to live as a man within a patriarchal society. I was drawn to the tension between freedom and constraint—how a choice made for survival can later become a prison. The stark mountain landscapes reflect both isolation and inner strength. **The film ultimately suggests** that gender and identity are deeply personal journeys, not fixed roles imposed by tradition, and that reclaiming oneself requires courage to confront both society and memory.