ALBANIAN THEATRE
The cinematographic movies entered in Albania during the years 1911 - 1912. The first public shows were made in Shkoder and Korçe. In 1945, "The Albanian Agency of Film" was created, while in 1952 "Shqiperia e re" Film Studio was established.
The first Artistic Albanian movie was "Tana" in (1958). It is interesting that during the early years some documentaries with tourist subjects were produced such as: "Visit Albania" in 1958, "We fell in love with Albania" in 1959, "The city of 1000 windows" in 1959 and "Albanian Tourism" in 1972.
By the year 1990 about 200 movies had been produced. After the political changes of 1990, movies started to be produced by private film houses in cooperation with The National Cinematographic Center, which is a new center for the administration and movie making in Albania. This center was created in 1997.
There are several Albanian actors and movie directors, which are well-known in United States and Hollywood. The most important are: Sten Dragoti (born in 1932) movie director, the brothers John Belushi (1949 - 1982) and James Belushi (born in 1954) actors and comedians, Eliza Dushku (born in 1980) actress, Peter Malota (born in 1958) actor. Bekim Fehmiu (born in 1936) is also well-known for his interpretation as the Odyssey in the movie "Adventures of Ulysses" made in 1974.
ALBANIAN CINEMATOGRAPHY
In the territory of present Albania, the traces of the theatre are very old. Albanian theatrical history dates back to the fourth century B.C. In respect of this fact are the witness of archaeological excavations, such as the theatres Apollonia, Butrint, Bylis, Nikaia, Orik , Finiqi, Sofratika (Adrianapoli) and ancient Dyrrah.
The first show was held in 1874, and it was named "The Wedding of Lunxheria" written by Koto Hoxhi. .While Othello was produced for the first time in 1889 in Korça. After the independence in 1912 the country theatres became more active .The first dramaturges are from the period of The Albanian Renaissance.
In May 1945 the state professional theatre was created. The name was changed in 1947 to "Teatri Popullor" (People's Theatre).
One of the greatest Albanian theatre actors, well-known all over Europe, is Aleksander Moisiu .
