Prominent Albanian director Dhimitër Anagnosti has passed away at the age of 89, after a long illness. The bitter news was announced by his daughter, Juna Anagnosti, through a post on social media.
"Farewell Dhimitër Anagnosti, the director of our lives! After a long illness, you obeyed the law of life! Farewell, grandpa!" she wrote.
Tributes in honor of the artist will take place on Tuesday, September 2, in the Hall of the Opera and Ballet Theater, from 10:00 to 13:00. Tributes will also be held in Vuno, the day after tomorrow, September 3.
Dhimitër Anagnosti was born in Vuno on January 23, 1936. He completed his primary school education in his native village, while his secondary education was in Vlora. From 1954 to 1960, he studied at the Cinematographic Institute “VGIK” in Moscow, where he graduated as a cinematographer. Together with Viktor Gjika, as his graduation project, they shot the film “Man Never Dies”, an adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s story, which was awarded the First Prize at the World Film Schools Festival, held in the Netherlands in 1961.
In 1961, he began working as a cameraman at the “Shqipëria e Re” Kinostudio, with the film “Debatik”, and then with the film “Toka jonë” (1964). He also shot the first color documentary film in Albania, “Gurët dekorativë”. He debuted as a director in 1966 with the film “Komisari i brëtës”, in collaboration with Viktor Gjika, while a year later he directed the film “Dueli i heshtur” alone.
In a 40-year career, Anagnosti made 14 feature films and 10 documentaries, winning numerous awards in national and international competitions. He is the author of 15 screenplays, writing almost all of his cinematic works himself.
For his artistic contributions, Anagnosti was honored with the title of "People's Artist" in 1987 and with the career trophy at the 10th Albanian Film Festival.
The year 1991 found him engaged in the democratic movement for pluralism in Albania, where he was elected as a deputy of the Democratic Party (1991–1996). From April 12, 1992 to December 4, 1994, he held the post of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, from which he resigned.
Anagnosti was also the creator and chairman of the "Fan Noli" Foundation for Art and Culture, a platform that supported Albanian intellectuals and strengthened national culture at home and abroad.
In 2001, he wrote and staged his only play, "The Night of Knocks on the Glass" at the National Theater, while in 2005 he directed his last film, "Gjoleka, Abazi's Son", which was awarded two international awards in Italy.
In addition to his artistic career, Dhimitër Anagnosti was known as a freethinker, persistent in defending his ideas, often facing mediocrity and the challenges of the time. He was married to the renowned Albanian actress, "Merited Artist" Roza Anagnosti, one of the most beloved figures of the Albanian stage and screen.
With the passing of Dhimitër Anagnosti, Albanian art and cinematography lost one of their greatest and most dignified personalities.
