Here be dragons

"Here Be Dragons" is an engaging 2013 documentary film directed and written by the inventive Mark Cousins. The film is known for its engrossing melange of history, culture, and personal investigation brought to life by Cousins's imaginative storytelling style.

The movie chronicles Cousins's journey to Albania, with the aim of understanding the country’s past and present. Being a less frequently documented country unlike the world's widely recognized cultural hubs, Albania comes off as an intriguing subject to the director as well as the audience. Cousins, being a cinematic explorer, delves into this uncharted territory to unravel the arcane narratives that are often hidden below the surface, much like a dragon tucked away in obscurity on ancient maps, hence the title, 'Here Be Dragons'.

The documentary showcases an enticing travelogue with soothing visual treat, blending together a wealth of expertly captured shots and poetic narrations. The film commences with the director's ferry journey that sets the tone of the adventure, providing the immediate touch of authenticity and exploration. Cousins creates an intelligent visual diary, recording his various encounters and impressions while visiting Albania, which he charmingly narrates within this film.

Framed like an engaging letter to a friend, 'Here Be Dragons' unravels an archive of untold stories, embedding the audience in the narrative. The film illuminates the complex history of Albania, a place where time seems to have stopped in many areas. Cousins grapples with the country's communist past, unraveling the tensions that still exist between the present and the past. Throughout the film, we see him attempting to make sense of a nation that has witnessed contradicting forces of history.

Cousins keenly explores not only the political tensions within the country, but also its creative spectrum - particularly the realm of cinema in Albania which hearkens back to his intense love for films. Using art, literature, and film, Cousins invites us to observe and understand the culture of Albania through a cross-disciplinary lens. A notable section of the movie is when Cousins enters the National Film Archives of Albania providing some extraordinary glimpses of Albanian films that have been extensively forgotten or lost within the tides of time.

He brings an open fascination and respect to the beautiful land of Albania, interlacing historical context with his personal experiences and observations. The film exhibits the director's signature style of collating a narrative by fusing film with art, history and personal discovery, thus rendering a mesmerizing cinematic mosaic of a little-known region.

The documentary also plumbs the depths of various social and cultural aspects of the Albanian people. The simplicity of their rural life, the vibrancy of their cities, the traces of their Ottoman past, and their struggle to cope with the economic exigencies of the modern world form a large part of this exploration. Each story he intercepts, every moment he observes, and every person he meets, is presented with an inherent sense of fascination, curiosity, and empathy, making the audience feel a part of the journey.

This ninety-minute documentary is more than just a travelogue, or a historical narrative. Cousins's 'Here Be Dragons' is a tribute to the potency of cinema and its ability to reveal the unknown, to narrate untold stories, and to bridge connections across the globe. The director’s narrations are vivid and stimulating, pervading every aspect of the film with wisdom and fascination which captures the viewer’s imagination.

In conclusion, Mark Cousins's 'Here Be Dragons' is a testament to the power of cinema, as well as a beautifully woven tapestry of a nation's history and culture. The documentary stands as an anecdote of exploration, disclosure, and revelation, creating an immersive and insightful experience for its audience. Woven intricately with in-depth observations, stunning imagery and heartfelt narration, Cousins offers a personal and profound cinematic journey into the mystical land of Albania, proving once again that cinema can indeed be an informal mode of travelling across borders and breaching barriers. It’s a must-watch for those who appreciate the beauty of exploration and the power of storytelling.