TIRANA, January 26 – Fifty years ago, on January 26, 1976, the film “Beni Walks on His Own” premiered.

Director Xhanfise Keko, People’s Artist, shot the film in 1975 in Vithkuq, Drenova, and Korça. Kiço Blushi wrote the screenplay.

Limos Dizdari composed the music. Saim Kokona worked as cinematographer. Myrteza Fushekati handled production design.

The film remains memorable, especially for the generation that grew up watching Beni’s adventures on big and small screens.

“Beni Walks on His Own” won the Best Film award at the first Albanian Film Festival in 1976. It also received special awards at international festivals, including Film Fest Belgrade (Yugoslavia, 1978) and Giffoni Film Festival, Salerno (Italy, 1978). Director Keko and screenwriter Blushi received the Republic Award in 1979 for the film’s artistic quality.

The story takes viewers back to childhood, village life, streets, simple games, and small emotions. Keko presented it with a simple, human, and emotional style.

Herion Mustafaraj played Beni. He appeared alongside well-known Albanian actors such as Pandi Raidhi, Dhorkë Orgocka, and Yllka Mujo.

Over fifty years, audiences in Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, Denmark, Algeria, Austria, Spain, Norway, and the United States watched the film. It screened at multiple international film festivals.

/a.p./