Debatik is a 1961 Albanian drama film directed by Hysen Hakani and Gëzim Erebara. It was written by Selman Vaqari, Niko Koleka, Erebara, and Hakani as a fictional work about the creation of the Debatik organization in Albania in 1942.
Filmed in Tirana, Debatik was the second feature film produced by Kinostudio. It was released in Albania and China.
Contents
Plot
Three years after the Italian invasion of Albania, children create their anti-fascist organization, called Debatik (Albanian: Djemtë E Bashkuar Anëtarë Të Ideve Komuniste, in English United Boys Members of Communist Ideas).
Coli, an orphaned poor boy, is proud to be accepted in the organization and helps Debatik steal weapons from Italian soldiers. However, Debatik's headquarters is discovered by Italian engineers and find documents that allow them to arrest several members, including Coli. He manages to inform his communist teacher that he is trapped by the fascist prosecutors, but is killed while doing so. Uncle Demir finds the boy and transports his dead body in his carriage.
Cast
Shpetim Zani as Coli
Dhimitër Pecani as Agimi
Pëllumb Dërvishi as Genci
Sulejman Pitarka as Teacher
Seit Boshnjaku as Tenente Franco
Gjon Karma as Jorgo
Lazër Vlashi as Prosecutor
Sander Prosi as School director
Roland Trebicka as Kosta
Loro Kovaçi as Drejtori italjan
Ndrek Shkjezi as The shop keeper
Skënder Plasari as Skënderi
Gjeranqina Osmanlliu as Merushja
Besim Levonja as Uncle Lymi
Benhur Tila as Agroni
Mario Ashiku as Astiti
Luigjina Leka as Shpresa
Qenan Toro as Provocateur
Tonin Kançi as Captain Bruno
Violeta Manushi as Agron's mother
Ilia Shyti as the customer buying fabric for his departed son's coffin.
Production
In 1958, Tana became the first feature film produced entirely by Albania. The second feature film entirely produced by Kinostudio, Debatik was directed by Hysen Hakani and Gëzim Erebara. Sulejman Vaqari, Niko Koleka, Hakani, and Erebara wrote the script. Tish Daija composed the music for the film. Shooting was done in Tirana.
The name of the film comes from the acronym of the Pioneers of Enver, Djemtë E Bashkuar Anëtarë Të Ideve Komuniste, rather than the Albanian word.
Release
Debatik premiered on 27 December 1961, and was released in China under the name Tamen ye zai zhandou. It was shown at the Giffoni Film Festival in 1985, under the title La discussione.