THE MOVING PICTURE BOY ARCHIVE

LULËKUQET MBI MURE

 

Title: Lulëkuqet mbi mure
English translation of title: Poppies on the Walls
Also known as: Red Poppies on the Walls
Year of Release: 1976
Director: Dhimitër Anagnosti
Principal Boy Actors: Strazimir Zaimi plays the central character Jaçe. Several other boys among the scores of boys at the orphanage also have important roles, including Enea Zheku (who a year later would have the lead as the eponymous hero of Tomka dhe shokët e tij / Tomka and His Friends) as Lelo, Krenar Arifi as Sulo, and Gjergj Pilika as Tomi.
Genre: Drama
Country of Production: Albania
Length: 1 hr 40 min
Language: Albanian
Availability: The film was given a 4K digital restoration in 2023.
English subtitles: Available on the digitally restored file.

Synopsis
The following plot synopsis is translated from the publication Albanian films honoured with various awards at international festivals 1978-1984 (the film was the winner of the Grand Prize at the 1980 Belgrade International Film Festival. The entry for this film is shown on right. Click to view full size image. From Editor's personal collection):

The film takes its subject from the period of the Italian fascist occupation in Albania [1939-1943]. The events take place mainly in the premises of an orphanage, whose director, an old agent for the SIM [Servizio Informazioni Militare, the Fascist military intelligence], tries, using subtle pedagogical methods, to instill fascist ideology into the hearts of the orphans. In implementing this plan (which was part of the grand plan for the denationalisation of Albanians) he has some blindly obedient lackeys, such as the orphanage's accountant, its caretaker, etc.

To oppose the education of children with fascist ideology and culture, and their mistreatment in the orphanage and outside it, patriotic and revolutionary forces act to instill in the children feelings of patriotism and hatred for the occupier.

The conflict reaches its climax with the killing of a child from the orphanage by the bullets of fascist patrols; and afterwards some of the children are thrown onto the street as "rebels". A new life begins for Jaçe and his friends. Under the care and guidance of the mother Party they make a valuable contribution to an assassination attempt against the director of the orphanage. [Translation by the Editor.]

Alternative film poster, on postcard
(Editor's personal collection)

Screenshots