Kujtim Gjonaj (3 November 1946 – 1 March 2021) was an Albanian screenwriter, director of documentary films and cartoons, producer and publisher. Gjonaj began his career as an editor of documentaries scenarios in the film studio "New Albania".
Biography
Gjonaj is a descendant of members of the
Gjoni (Gjonaj)
Gjon (definite form: ''Gjoni'') is an Albanian male given name, clan, surname and onomastic element.
As given name
Etymology and history
''Gjon'' as a given name is a form of the English name John. It is the name of the apostle Saint John in Al ...
clan. He started his career in 1969 in Kinostudio.
In 1974 he began his career as a director of film documentaries and as a writer creating scenes for multiple films. His feature film contributions include the script for the 1976 film ''Call,'' his first feature film, the 1977 films ''They Were Four'' and ''Circus in the Village'' and the 1979 movie ''Advisors''. Gjonaj worked for Alba and later established his own film production house, "The Albanian World".
Gjonaj produced biographies of prominent figures such as
Ali Pasha Tepelena
Ali Pasha (1740 – 24 January 1822), commonly known as Ali Pasha of Yanina or Ali Pasha of Tepelena, was an Albanian ruler who served as Ottoman pasha of the Pashalik of Yanina, a large part of western Rumelia. Under his rule, it acquired a h ...
,
Faik Konitza,
Jeronim de Rada
Girolamo de Rada (Arbëresh language, Arbërisht: ''Jeronim de Rada''; 29 November 181428 February 1903) was an Arbëreshë people, Arbëreshë folklorist, journalist, lawyer, playwright, poet, rilindas and writer. He is regarded as one of the m ...
, Naim,
Mother Teresa
Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu (born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, ; 26 August 1910 – 5 September 1997), better known as Mother Teresa or Saint Mother Teresa, was an Albanian-Indian Catholic Church, Roman Catholic nun, founder of the Missionaries of ...
and
Sulejman Pitarka (People's Artist)).
A tribute to Gjonaj was commemorated during the Festival Cup XII of the Albanian Documentary Film Association in
Tirana
Tirana ( , ; ) is the capital and List of cities and towns in Albania, largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills, with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest ov ...
, Albania, in 2006.
On 16 July 2012, Gjonaj was awarded with the title "Grand Master" () by the Albanian National Film Archive. (AQSHF).
Filmography
Scenarios
*
Këshilltarët, (1979)
*
Ata ishin katër, (1977)
*
Thirrja, (1976)
Directing
*
Shëmbja e idhujve, (1995)
*
Djemtë e Valiasit, (1984)
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gjonaj, Kujtim
1946 births
2021 deaths
Albanian screenwriters
Albanian film directors
People from Tirana