"January at the Albanian Film Festival"/Gjirokastër, documentary dedicated to actor Bekim Fehmiu

2025-01-13 16:27:00, Qyteti im CNA

"January at the Albanian Film Festival"/Gjirokastër, documentary

In Gjirokastër, the next cinematographic event, "January, in the Albanian film festival" has returned. The event that brings special products of Albanian film and cinema opened with the documentary film by Valmir Tertini dedicated to the well-known Albanian actor Bekim Femiu. The documentary, one of Tertini's greatest cinematic achievements, was shot in 6 different countries and closely touched the life of the first Albanian actor, who managed to create a career that touched the heights of world cinematography. Bekim Fehmiu is presented in the documentary through the confessions of relatives, other characters who acted alongside him, friends and from a photographic archive. His somewhat difficult and constantly misunderstood character is presented for the first time in this authentic format to the public in Gjirokastër.

"January at the Albanian Film Festival"/Gjirokastër, documentary

Cinematographer Skënder Jaçe said that Bekim Fehmiu has left behind a great legacy.

"The film of the great actor Bekim Fehmiu, a great figure of Albanian acting who broke the barricades of the Balkans and crossed over to Hollywood with his films. He has left quite a large fortune and the spectator is familiar with his entire artistic life" , says Skënder Jaçe.

The film festival will bring a chronology of the history of cinema, its decline and resurgence.

Cinematographer Jaçe gave details about the selected program from the films of the former Kinostudio to children's films.

"We also have a very interesting Albanian film that talks about the developments of Albanian cinematography since the establishment of Kinostudio "New Albania" and then the network of cinemas that came to be degraded and destroyed until its revival begins now after so many years. On the third night, as I said, we have the "Captain", recently restored in the 4K variant and in the cleaning of the audio tracks. We have also selected a package of cartoons for young children so that they can also feel this part of the great crane in Gjirokastër", he adds.

The cinema has an almost century-old tradition in Gjirokastër, since 1927. The city became the shooting location for some of the most important Albanian and foreign films. The winter film festival follows a series of Open Cinema summer events where the public is introduced to some of the best products of modern Albanian cinema as well as contemporary international drama and comedy. The cinema has returned to the city after an absence of more than three decades./ CNA