Xhanfise Keko Explained

Xhanfise Keko (27 January 1928 – 22 December 2007), born in Gjirokastër, Albania, was an Albanian film director.

Keko was one of the seven founders of "New Albania" Film Studio (Albanian: Kinostudio "Shqiperia e Re"), present day "Albafilm-Tirana". She was the first female director and directed some 25 different movies between 1952 and 1984 including the 1975 film, Beni Walks by Himself and Tomka and His Friends, both awarded at the Giffoni International Film Festival. Her films were generally targeted toward younger audiences but contemporary critics praise her "sensitive approach to her material, a technical facility outstripping her contemporaries and a highly original voice".^[1]

She was the mother of well-known Albanian writer Teodor Keko.

Filmography

• Taulanti kërkon një motër (1984)
• Një vonesë e vogël (1982)
• Kur xhirohej një film (1981)
• Partizani i vogël Velo (1980)
• Pas gjurmëve (1978)
• Tomka and His Friends (Albanian: Tomka dhe shokët e tij) (1977)
• Malësorët pas komisarëve (1976)
• Tinguj lufte (1976)
• Beni Walks by Himself (Albanian: Beni Ecën Vetë) (1975)
• Për popullin, me popullin (1975)
• Reportazh nga Tropoja (1975)
• Qyteti më i ri në botë (1974)
• Mimoza llastica (1973)
• Kongresi i 6 PPSH (1972)
• Kryengritje në pallat (1972)
• Shkolla tingujt ngjyra (1972)
• ABC...ZH (1971)
• Nga festivali artistik i fëmijve (1969)
• Kalitemi nepërmjet aksioneve (1968)
• Lart flamujt e aksioneve (1968)
• Ato çajnë përpara (1967)
• Gra heroike shqiptare përpara (1967)
• Miqësi e madhe unitet luftarak (1966)
• Tregim për njerzit e punës (1963)
• Kongresi i 3 i PPSH (1952)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Xhanfize Keko Filmmaker Profile. 2021-12-27. TCM PRESENTS WOMEN MAKE FILM. en-US.