The Resilience of Albanian Cinema and Its Global Stars

By the ULTIMATE Tirana Editorial Team

The socialist era and Kinostudio (1952–1990)

For four decades Albanian film-making was gathered under one state studio, Kinostudio Shqipëria e Re (New Albania Film Studio), founded in 1952. Its films followed the rules of socialist realism: partisan resistance in the Second World War, the building of a new state and the transformation of society.

Within those strict limits the period produced fine craftsmanship and classics that Albanians still love today.

The modern and international era (1990s–present)

After 1990 Albanian cinema turned to raw social realities, the years of transition and complex human dramas, and it now often works in co-production across Europe.

Foreign directors came too: Theo Angelopoulos’s Ulysses’ Gaze (1995), with Harvey Keitel, follows its journey through Korçë on the way across the Balkans. Albanian stories and talent have since been selected and rewarded at festivals from Cannes to the Berlinale.

Must-watch films: the historic classics

To understand how the country’s cinematic lens has changed, start with the foundational classics, then turn to the sharp films made since 1990.

• Skanderbeg (1953): Sergei Yutkevich’s epic Soviet-Albanian co-production on the life of the national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti, won the International Prize at Cannes in 1954 and set the pattern for early Albanian cinema.
• Tana (1958): Kristaq Dhamo’s film is Albania’s first feature, and it introduced the great Tinka Kurti in the title role.
• Red Poppies on Walls (Lulëkuqet mbi mure, 1976): Dhimitër Anagnosti’s poignant drama is set in a Tirana orphanage under the Italian occupation, and is celebrated as one of the finest films of the Kinostudio years.
• Tomka and His Friends (Tomka dhe shokët e tij, 1977): Xhanfise Keko’s much-loved film follows a band of boys who stage their own quiet resistance when German soldiers take over their football pitch.

Must-watch films: the contemporary masters

• Slogans (Parrullat, 2001): Gjergj Xhuvani’s biting, darkly funny satire follows a schoolteacher in a 1970s village who must build political slogans out of stones on a hillside. It was the first Albanian film selected for the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes.
• The Forgiveness of Blood (2011): Joshua Marston’s intense drama, filmed in northern Albania with a young Albanian cast led by Tristan Halilaj, explores the old code of the Kanun and the blood feud in modern life.

The iconic domestic film stars

The golden age of Kinostudio created screen icons of great dramatic weight.

• Sandër Prosi (1920–1985): widely regarded as one of the greatest Albanian actors, he brought intellectual depth and presence to dozens of stage and screen roles, and was a People’s Artist of Albania.
• Tinka Kurti: a pioneer of the screen, the star of Tana, with more than 50 feature films and 150 theatre productions to her name.
• Kadri Roshi: a master of character acting, fierce and unforgettable in classics such as Red Poppies on Walls.
• Robert Ndrenika: one of the best-loved figures in Albanian culture, as convincing as a stern patriarch as he is in sharp satirical comedy.
• Reshat Arbana: a People’s Artist of Albania, whose commanding voice and gentle but firm presence made him the face of historical and cultural epics.
• Timo Flloko: the romantic and dramatic leading man of Albanian cinema, the teacher in Red Poppies on Walls, whose popularity spans generations.

Contemporary and cross-border talents

As the industry opened up, several Albanian actors crossed into mainstream European and international cinema.

• Nik Xhelilaj: one of Albanian cinema’s great modern exports, acclaimed for his leading role in The Albanian (Der Albaner, 2010), and since then a star of German productions such as 4 Blocks and Winnetou.
• Arben Bajraktaraj: based mainly in France, he is the menacing Death Eater Antonin Dolohov in the Harry Potter films and the trafficker Marko in the thriller Taken.
• Blerim Destani: an actor and producer born in Germany and raised in Tetovo, who works between Germany, North Macedonia and Albania in European dramas and action films.

The Tirana International Film Festival (TIFF)

Founded in 2003, TIFF was the first international film festival in Albania, and over two decades it has become one of the liveliest cultural events in the Balkans. It was created to champion independent and alternative film-makers and bring them to an eager local audience; its highest honour, the Golden Owl, is given by an international jury to the best feature film.

TIFF is a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards and the European Film Awards, so its winning short films can go forward for Oscar consideration. As entries grew, it gave documentary, animation and experimental film their own events: DocuTIFF, AnimaTIFF and ExpoTIFF.

Our advice: plan an autumn visit around the festival, and book the screenings you most want to see as soon as the programme is published.

Tirana International Film Festival →   A festival every September: how Tirana goes to the movies →   Tirana on film →

The Hollywood diaspora

A remarkable wave of Albanian-American talent has left a lasting mark on Hollywood.

• John and Jim Belushi: born to an Albanian immigrant father, the brothers became American comedy royalty. John (1949–1982) made comedy history with Saturday Night Live and The Blues Brothers, and Jim has enjoyed a decades-long career in film and in his hit sitcom According to Jim.
• Eliza Dushku: proud of her Albanian heritage, she rose to fame as Faith in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and starred in Bring It On and Wrong Turn.
• Enver Gjokaj: a versatile actor known for Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse and as Agent Daniel Sousa in Marvel’s Agent Carter and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
• Masiela Lusha: born in Tirana, she moved to the United States as a child and played Carmen Lopez in the hit sitcom George Lopez.

Balkan Cinema: our long read on the whole region →

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