Tirana, February 13 - The Central State Film Archive of Albania resumes the cycle "Treasures of the Archive", a program curated and presented by personalities of contemporary thought and research.
"In the flames of the revolution", a documentary from 1967, will be shown today at the cinema "Agimi" in Tirana. 1967 was one of the most decisive years of the communist dictatorship. Leader Enver Hoxha declared Albania the first atheist country in the world and banned all religious practices. After suffering for two decades, even the few remaining churches, mosques and mosques were closed or turned into cinemas or sports centers. Priests and imams faced public trials. Copying the Chinese Cultural Revolution, the young communists went all over Albania to destroy religious buildings and convince people to renounce their faith.
"During this violent campaign, four elderly monks died when the Franciscan Assembly of Shkodra burned down. A controversial documentary titled 'In the flames of the revolution' (1967) was produced for these important events, directed by the talented camera operator, Endri Keko. Filmed by the masters Ilia Terpini and Niko Theodhosi, this black and white documentary, shown very rarely, brings attention to this key moment in the history of the country", it is written in the AQSHF announcement about this event. The head of AQSHF, Iris Elezi, together with the researcher Ardian Ndreca, will shed light on this traumatic time of Albania, while "In the flames of the revolution" will be shown in 35 millimeters.