The 1978 film Freedom or Death, produced by Kinostudio “Shqipëria e Re,” returns in fully restored 4K. Directors Ibrahim Muçaj and Kristaq Mitro capture not only the battle against occupation but also the spiritual strength of a people who refused to bow.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a sequence from the restored film at the Central State Film Archive (AQSHF), calling it “a monumental work of Albanian cinema that showcases Çerçiz Topulli’s heroism and the Mashkullorë battle, symbols of resistance for freedom and independence. This restored film will speak to new generations of cinema-goers, preserving the power of our historical memory.”

The film will screen tomorrow, September 27, during the final night of the Tirana International Film Festival at Millennium Cinema.

Written by Vath Koreshi with music by Kujtim Laro, the film features Timo Flloko as Çerçiz Topulli, delivering one of Albanian cinema’s most memorable portrayals of historical figures. Flloko conveys both the ideal of freedom and the drama of sacrifice, making Çerçiz a deeply human and moving figure.

Freedom or Death was among the first Albanian films to highlight Mashkullorë not just as a setting but as a symbol of national resilience, giving the film both artistic and emotional power.

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