Feature film
Skanderbeg
Skënderbeu
Sergei Yutkevich · 1953
Synopsis
In the fifteenth century, Gjergj Kastrioti, son of an Albanian prince, is handed over as a child hostage to the sultan and raised as a warrior of the Ottoman Empire, under the name Skanderbeg. After twenty years in the service of the throne, love of his land drives him to turn against those who occupy it. He rallies the Albanian princes, marries Donika to seal their union and brings together the League of Lezhë. He must then face the betrayal of his own nephew, Hamza.
Context
The film answers a request made by the Albanian leader to the Soviet government in April 1949, and shooting began in 1951. The Soviet Union paid four fifths of the cost, Albania the rest. The Moscow studios and Crimea hosted most of the filming; in Albania, Gjirokastra stands in for Kruja, the hero's stronghold. The screenplay is by Mikhail Papava, the Georgian Akaki Khorava plays the title role alongside Besa Imami, and the music is shared between Çesk Zadeja and Georgy Sviridov. Released on 28 November 1953 in Moscow and Tirana, it was restored in 2012, with a new dubbing in standard Albanian in place of the old one, in Gheg.
Who it is for
A historical epic of two hours, spoken in Albanian, shot at the start of the Cold War; no prior knowledge of Albanian history is necessary.
Prizes and reception
Joint International Prize at Cannes in 1954, with a special mention for direction; the first feature film born of Albanian-Soviet cooperation.
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