TIRANA, Sept 26 /ATA/ – The 4K restored version of “Liri a vdekje” (Freedom or Death), a 1978 Albanian movie portraying the country’s struggle for independence, will be screened at the closing night of the Tirana International Film Festival on September 27.
Directed by Ibrahim Muçaj and Kristaq Mitro, the film is considered a powerful cinematic tribute to patriotism, sacrifice, and resistance.
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared Friday a sequence from the restored version on social media, calling the film a “monumental work of Albanian cinema.”
“This restored film will speak to new generations of filmmakers and the wider public, conveying the power of our historical memory,” Rama wrote, noting its depiction of freedom, sacrifice, and national identity.
Restored by the Central State Film Archive (AQSHF), the film brings renewed attention to one of the foundational stories of Albanian resistance. The screenplay was written by Vath Koreshi, with music composed by Kujtim Laro.
This color drama tells the story of a group of patriotic Albanian outlaws who return to visit their relatives before setting off to assassinate a major in the occupying Ottoman Turkish Empire.
Critics have praised Flloko’s performance for its emotional depth, portraying both the idealism and personal cost of the freedom struggle, helping establish the film as a landmark in Albanian cinema.
Freedom or Death was among the first Albanian films to spotlight Mashkullorë, southern Albanian city of Gjirokaster, not only as a setting but as a symbol of national resistance, making it both artistically significant and emotionally resonant.
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