KINOSTUDIO AND ALBANIAN CINEMA

The director discusses how Xhanfize Keko paved the way for Albanian women in film, defying censorship to tell coming-of-age stories that still inspire generations today.

Female filmmakers are playing an increasing role in the cinema of Albania, however, their presence and influence have evolved over time. And remembering the pioneering Albanian filmmaker, Xhanfize Keko, who not only was the first female director but was also one of the seven founding members of Kinostudio, a state-owned film production studio, established in 1952.  

Being the first has many challenges in any culture, any region, and at any time in history, but it was even more so for Keko due to the political, social, and cultural environment of the time.

After 500 years of oppressive rule under the Ottoman Empire and the horrors of two World Wars, Albania suffered yet another misfortune when it fell prey to a brutal communist dictatorship. 

At the time, Albania was influenced by both traditional values and the rigid communist regime and women faced immense barriers in the newly created film industry. They were expected to take on supporting roles that aligned with more traditional gender norms.

Cinema and art in general were under strict state censorship, and industry practitioners were closely monitored to ensure that they aligned with the ideologies of the rulers. Many artists had the misfortune of being arrested, severely punished and their works destroyed and banned, if they were deemed to be contrary to the regime’s political goals. Often these consequences would be felt for generations throughout the artist's families with punishments and career limitations imposed indiscriminately. 

Despite her path being fraught with so many difficulties, Keko persevered and directed over 25 films. Her work often explores coming-of-age stories and is targeted to younger audiences, firmly securing her films as a defining part of my childhood.

Xhanfize Keko was a trailblazer who paved the way for women like myself to create and be part of the Albanian film industry. I hope that audiences, and especially girls around the world, will see her work and allow her legacy to continue.

If I could choose one of her films to recommend it would be Tomka and His Friends which won accolades at the Giffoni International Film Festival in 1978 and was recently restored by the Library of Congress.▮