Here Be Dragons

Mark Cousins travels to Albania and captures his experiences over five days in this documentary. The film addresses the deteriorating condition of the country's film archive and raises profound questions about history and memory in Albania. Under the influence of Chris Marker's filmmaking style, Cousins delves into the impact of authoritarian rule under Enver Hoxha and its legacy.

The documentary also reflects on the architecture of dictators and the iconic paintings of Onufri, providing a broader cultural context. The title, Here Be Dragons, references the historical maps that marked unknown territories, symbolizing Albania's long-standing obscurity in global awareness. Cousins' road movie invites viewers to contemplate the relationship between a nation's past and its cultural heritage, echoing Goethe's sentiment about understanding the essence of a place.