"Let Death Wait..."/ Premiere of the feature film in Pogradec

2025-11-09 13:18:00, Kulturë CNA

A special cultural evening was marked in the lakeside city of Pogradec with the premiere of the feature film “Let Death Wait…”, directed by Edmond Topi. In a warm and emotional atmosphere, artists, citizens and cinema lovers gathered to watch for the first time this film, which sensitively deals with the theme of life, aging and the value of man at every stage of his existence.

"Let Death Wait..."/ Premiere of the feature film in Pogradec

This cinematic project was realized entirely in Pogradec, from the idea and the script, to the shooting, and for director Edmond Topi, this city is not only a backdrop, but also an inspiration. He considers Pogradec one of the most comfortable places to make a film and emphasizes that this work was created for the public, with a simple and human message: old age is not the end of life, but a stage where a person continues to live and contribute to society. The film will soon travel on a tour of screenings in other cities of the country, as part of the initiative to bring Albanian cinema closer to the spectator.

"Let Death Wait..."/ Premiere of the feature film in Pogradec

"In fact, I am here to thank the city, not to thank the city for us. The film was conceived here, I wrote and shot it here. Who knows, there are more comfortable cities to shoot in. I believe that we owe a lot to Pogradec for the whole friendly climate that it created for us during the filming. The film will tour cities, we started with Pogradec, we will try to take it ourselves to all the small or large cities of Albania because the film is made for the spectator and I would like everyone to see the film. The message conveyed by the film is quite simple: "Old age is not the last station for a person to leave, but it is one of the stations in which he must live and continue to contribute to his life and that of society", - says director Topi.

The premiere was attended by well-known names in Albanian art, including Zyliha Miloti and Ema Andrea, who shared strong emotions after the screening. Veteran actress Zyliha Miloti described the experience as one of the most sensitive of her career, emphasizing that the film contains touching scenes that should be seen by young people. She described the collaboration with director Topi and colleagues of different generations as a rare artistic experience.

"Let Death Wait..."/ Premiere of the feature film in Pogradec

"Not excited, but tearful with the scenes in this film. It is a miracle, which at least the youth should see a lot. I had the greatest pleasure to participate with the icons of Albanian cinematography. An extraordinary job by director Edmond Topi. I also saw the reaction of the spectators, there were very touching moments. I have really been a comedy actress for 60 years, but it seems to me that I gave very touching scenes in this film," said artist Miloti.

Ema Andrea also expressed that the atmosphere in Pogradec was warm and the audience enthusiastic. For her, the role of the antagonist in this film was a challenge and a valuable professional experience. She praised the collaboration with the actors of the older generation as a school in itself and underlined that the film, in addition to drama, also carries notes of humor that make it closer to the audience.

"Let Death Wait..."/ Premiere of the feature film in Pogradec

"Today was a very warm atmosphere, the audience was full. For me, the emotion was very human in addition to artistic and I am glad that the colossus of cinema received the deserved applause in Pogradec. The antagonist, the unsympathetic role, is essential in a film and is a great challenge. A great challenge and pleasure for my career, because it is one of those roles that I have never had the chance to do before. Behind the scenes in the theater, working with this generation is a school in itself and lucky is whoever is lucky enough to work with them. In this film I discovered that there is a lot of humor, that we know them in the dramatic side, but they have a lot of humor", - said Andrea.

The film's premiere in Pogradec marks the beginning of a tour of screenings in other cities in Albania. A project that unites generations of artists and brings to the screen a human story, built with love, reflection and respect for life.

A film that invites the audience to pause for a moment… because “Death waits.” /CNA