Dhimitër Anagnosti


Dhimitër Anagnosti was an Albanian film director, screenwriter, cinematographer, and politician. He was a member of the Parliament of Albania in the 1990s and a Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. For his contribution in film, he received the People's Artist of Albania medal. In 2011, former president Bamir Topi accredited him the "Honor of the Nation" order,.

Early life

Anagnosti was born on 23 January 1936, in Vuno. After graduating the Ali Demi high school in Vlorë, he pursued his studies and graduated as a film director in Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography of Moscow.
In 1961, along with Viktor Gjika, Anagnosti directed the film, Njeriu kurrë nuk vdes, using as a script a short story from American writer, Ernest Hemingway. The work earned him First Prize in the World's Festival of Cinematographic Schools, in the Netherlands.

Career

Anagnosti started to work as a cineast within Kinostudio Shqipëria e Re in 1961, with the film, Debatik in 1961 and subsequently with the film Toka jonë in 1964. He was also the writer of the first Albanian color documentary, Gurët dekorativë. In 1966, Anagnosti co-directed, with Viktor Gjika, Komisari i dritës, and a year later he directed Duel i heshtur.
Overall he has directed 14 films and 10 documentaries, and has won many national and international prizes. He was also the screenwriter of most of the films he directed.
For his extraordinary performance of some of the best Albanian films, he has been given the title Merited Artist of Albania, and in 1987, People's Artist of Albania. During the communist rule of Albania, however, many of his works were censored. He won the Cup to the Carrier in the Ninth Festival of the Albanian Film.

Political career

Between 1991 and 1996, Anagnosti was involved in politics. He was elected Member of the Albanian Parliament as a deputy of the Democratic Party of Albania. On April 12, 1992, he took over the post of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. He resigned on December 4, 1994. The reasons for his resignation were that Sali Berisha, then President of Albania, had not recognized the negative result of a popular referendum for a new constitution as his own political failure, and had not resigned himself.

Return to art

After leaving politics, Anagnosti created the Foundation for Art and Culture, endorsing the most active artists and contributing to the enhancement of Albanian culture and its international exposure. Among other things, this foundation has enabled the publication of 160 books.
In 2001, Anagnosti returned to his directing skills after many years of absence. For the National Theater of Albania, he directed the stage drama, "Nata e trokitjeve në xham". In 2005 he also directed a film, Gjoleka, djali i Abazit : The film won two international prizes in Italy.

Personal life and death

Anagnosti was married to the Albanian actress Roza Anagnosti, a Merited Artist of Albania.
On 1 September 2025, it was announced that Dhimitër Anagnosti had died at the age of 89.

Film direction

The following is a list of films directed by Anagnosti.
  • Gjoleka i biri i Abazit
  • Kthimi i ushtrisë së vdekur
  • Përralle Nga e Kaluara
  • Gurët e shtëpisë sime
  • Kujtime nga Gjirokastra
  • Vëllezër dhe shokë
  • Në shtepinë tonë
  • Monumenti |Monumenti
  • Lulëkuqet mbi mure
  • Kur hiqen maskat
  • Cuca e maleve
  • Përjetësi
  • Motive nga dita e diel
  • Malet me blerim mbuluar
  • Parafabrikatet
  • Plagë të vjetra
  • Duel i heshtur
  • Komisari i dritës
  • Njeriu kurrë nuk vdes