The great director, Muharrem Fejzo, who gave so much to his people

The great director, Muharrem Fejzo, may have physically departed from life, but his artistic biography, his life, and work will continue to speak for him—a man who gave so much to his people, to our Art and Culture. Muharrem Fejzo (May 24, 1933 – November 22, 2020).

Muharrem Fejzo was born in Kolonjë in 1933.

He began his artistic journey as a prompter at the National Theatre in Tirana. He also completed his studies in acting and, driven by a deep passion for cinema, contributed as a makeup artist in some of the earliest Albanian films. Years later, he became the director of the House of Culture in the city of Kukës.

Before directing his first film, The Editor (Montatorja, 1970), Fejzo worked as an assistant director in two feature films: The Ambush (Prita, 1968) by Mithat Fagu and The Guerrilla Unit (Njësiti Guerril, 1969) by Hysen Hakani. In 1972, along with director Fehmi Hoshafi, Fejzo created The Captain (Kapedani), the first Albanian comedy film, which is still considered a masterpiece of Albanian cinema.

Throughout his career, director Muharrem Fejzo made dozens of other films, including notable titles such as Operation "Fire" (Operacioni "Zjarri", 1973) and The Schoolmistress (Mësonjtorja, 1979). His last film, The Living Wall (Muri i Gjallë), was completed in 1989.

Artistic biography of Muharrem Fejzo

• 1954 – Graduated from the Artistic Lyceum as a sculptor (under mentors Odhise Paskali and Janaq Paco)

• 1954 – Worked on the set designs of operas Rusalka, Ivan Susanin, The Bartered Bride. Participated in the National Exhibition of Figurative Arts

• 1955 – Created the bust of heroine "Zonja Çure" in Vlorë

• 1956 – Completed various portraits and busts in concrete – Durrës

• 1957 – Assistant Director of Artistic Works – Migjeni Theater

• 1958 – Painter and makeup artist at Kinostudio "New Albania" (Shqipëria e Re). Opened the first professional makeup department

• 1959 – Specialized in makeup design at Mosfilm in Moscow

• 1962–1966 – Taught makeup at the Institute of Arts (ILA), Tirana

• 1966 – Graduated from ILA in Acting (mentors: A. Malo, S. Prosi, D. Agolli)

• 1966 – Graduated from ILA in Directing (mentor: K. Spahivogli)

• 1966 – Held a solo exhibition in painting and sculpture

• 1967 – Director of the Kukës Variety Theater

• 1970–1990 – Film Director at Kinostudio “New Albania”

• Member of the Albanian Writers’ League since 1962

• Honorary Member “In Victam” of the Cultural and Artistic Center – Brindisi

• 1974 – Winner of the Literary-Artistic Script Competition for the film The Explosion (Shpërthimi)

  
  

Poetry:

• To You (1954)

• To Love (1955)

• To Hope (1956)

• To the Homeland (1956)

• Erotic (1961)

• To Gjallica (poem, 1967)

• To My Sons (1967)

• Grimace (1980)

  
  

Drama:

• Duty and Storm, staged at the Kukës Theater

• The Fences (1967)

• The Silent Stream (1968)

• Flesh Vise (Dara prej Mishi, 1997)

  
  

As Actor:

• Aleko in Red Sky (Qielli i Kuq) by T. Çaushi

• Llansi in The Two Gentlemen of Verona by Shakespeare

• Agimi in The White and the Black (E Bardha dhe E Zeza) by F. Pacrami

  
  

Screenplays and Direction:

• 1968 – A Piece Wanders at Dawn – Screenplay

• 1969 – The Spinner (Fillrojtësi) – Screenplay

• 1970 – The Editor (Montatorja) – Directed by Fejzo, script by Dhimitër Xhuvani

• 1971 – The Captain (Kapedani) – Co-directed with B.A.

• 1972 – Operation Fire (Operacioni Zjarri) – Screenplay and Direction (co-directed with B.A.)

Participant in the Balkan Film Festival – Highly praised by critics

• 1974 – The Explosion (Shpërthimi) – Screenplay and Direction (with B.A.)

• 1975 – The Breaking Threads (Fijet që priten) – Directed by Fejzo, screenplay by N. Tozaj

• 1976 – The Cloak on the Wire (Guna mbi tela) – Screenplay and Direction (with B.A.); the first Albanian film on a historical theme

• 1977 – Siren in Mallakastër (Sirenë në Mallakastër) – Documentary – Directed by Fejzo

• 1978 – Spring in Gjirokastër (Pranverë në Gjirokastër) – Directed by Fejzo

• 1979 – The Schoolmistress (Mësonjtorja) – Directed by Fejzo. Highly praised by Albanian press and media, winner of 9 national awards, proposed for the Republic Prize, and nominated for the title “Merited Artist.” Participated in the International Festival of Valencia. Acclaimed as a “monument of Albanian history.”

• 1980 – New Mornings (Mëngjeze të Reja) – Directed by Fejzo

• 1981 – The Treasure (Thesari) – Directed by Fejzo

• 1982 – Our Constructions (Ndërtimet tona) – Documentary – Directed by Fejzo

• 1983 – A Name Among the People (Një emër midis njerëzve) – Directed by Fejzo. Competed at the International Festival of Valencia

• 1985 – Bitter Spring (Pranverë e Hidhur) – Directed by Fejzo

• 1986 – The Mountain Village (Fshati Malor) – Documentary – Directed by Fejzo

• 1987 – The Rails (Binarët) – Screenplay and Direction (with B.A.)

• 1989 – The Living Wall (Muri i gjallë) – Directed by Fejzo. Awarded at the European Film Festival in the Czech Republic. Considered the first Albanian film legend.

  
  

Unproduced works:

• 1991 – Disappointment (The Exodus) – Screenplay

• 1993 – Operation Pelican – Screenplay

• 1994 – The Clash – Screenplay

• 1997 – Ibrahim Kodra – Screenplay

• 2000 – Goes and Doesn’t Return (Shkon e nuk kthen) – Screenplay (with B.A.)

• 2003 – Albatross (Albatraz) – Screenplay

• 1981–1984 – The Strike (Goditja) – Screenplay by Sabri Godo

Television Films:

• 1996 – The Avalanche (Orteku)

• 1996 – Sipa Press

• 1996 – A Painter in Paris

• 1997 – The Colossus of the Albanian Circus (Kollosi i Cirkut Shqiptar)

• 1998 – Night in Paris (Nata në Paris) – Directed by Fejzo

Set Design:

• The White and the Black (E Bardha dhe E Zeza) by F. Paçrami – National Theater

• Duty and Storm (Detyrë dhe Stuhi) by M. Fejzo – National Theater

Music:

• Uncle Vanya (Xhaxha Vanja) (by Chekhov) – Composer: M. Fejzo

• The Homeland (Atdheu) – Poem and Composer: M. Fejzo

Sculpture & Painting:

Created portraits, busts, bas-reliefs, and concrete statues.Produced hundreds of paintings in various techniques, located both inside and outside Albania.

Notable Bronze Monuments:

• Statue of the World Leader of Bektashism, Ahmet Myftar Dede, in Vlorë

• Statue of the founder of Bektashism, Haxhi Bektash Veli, at the World Headquarters of Bektashism in Tirana

Honors and Awards:

• Decorated with the "Naim Frashëri" Order

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