Pandi Raidhi (1921-1999)
People’s Artist
One of the veterans of Albanian acting, prominent actor of the theater “AZ Cajupi”, Korce and Albanian cinematography.
Pani Raidhi is born on April 14, 1921, in the city of Korça. With a full sense of the word, he is a partisan of our scene, one of the first in theater and cinema. With the roles played, he is now in the pantheon of immortality.
Started his artistic career in 1937 in the theatrical show “Dasma Korcare” where he immediately won the sympathy of the Korcar public. During the war, he took part in the ranks of the Anti-Fascist Youth, where he also became active in its amateur theater groups.
In 1948, after finishing high school, he joined the troupe of the “Popular Theater” (today the National Theatre) where he performed again, specifically in the drama “Dama Korçare”. Here, the roles Raidhi plays do not show exactly his acting nature, although he stands out in the role of Bobcinski in Gogol’s “Revizori” comedy.
After two years of activity in PT, in 1950 he returned to Korce. Raidhi was one of the founding actors of Estrada in Korça with the play “Agimi” and a founding actor of the theater “AZ Cajupi” since 1951.
In the theater “A.Z.Çajupi” of Korça he would perform dozens of roles, becoming the most important part of to this artistic and cultural institution for the interpretation of many plays from the Albanian and international comedy, such as Argoni “I semuri per mend” (1953); Volpone in “Volpone” (1957) by B. Johnson; Sgamareli in Moliere’s “Doctor Padashka” (1958); Harlequin in “The Liar” (1959) by Gogol;
In the 60s, he also reached his artistic maturity. Thus, after doing short comic and humorous parts in variety shows, in the early 60s it will be the director Pirro Mani who will activate him in dramatic parts with several important roles, such as Kasem’s role in the dramatization of the novel “Keneta” of F. Gjata in 1963 and in the film “The First Years” in 1965.
The actor Pandi Raidhi mixes popular elements, in the manner of behavior, in speech, clothing, portrait, even the detail of smoking.
In 1976, embodied one of the most impressive roles in the drama “Shadows of the night” by V. Kokona, that of Thanas, through a speech and humor brilliant, sculpting the man in panic, finicky and without a clear personality.
With the role of Uncle Bako in the comedy “Lady from the city” in 1975 as well as with the film with the same title in 1976, wins the medallion of the Festival, skillfully carving the type of a southern Albanian peasant, a wise, friendly and ironic man.
He made his cinematographic debut in the first Albanian film “Tana” in 1958. Then performed in many other roles in Albanian films, building about 36 figures and characters in these films.
His most recent role was that of the secretary’s father in the film “People in Current” in 1989. To mention are the roles like that of Uncle Ymer in “Open Horizons”; Agua in “Stars of long nights”; Meka in the short film “Emperor’s Bed” etc.
In an artistic career spanning half a century, Raidhi has performed more than 200 roles in drama, comedy and operetta. He quickly turned into a loved and very popular figure for all Albanians.
Iconic Pandi Raidhi is fondly remembered for his simplicity, sweet smile and exquisite humour. He was characterized by great seriousness about work. During the filming of his roles, the camera surrenders to the interesting portrait he creates.
He passed away and left his family in Tirana on July 18, 1999.
For his artistic merits, Pandi Raidhi was honored in 1975 with the high title “People’s Artist”. In his honor, the Municipality of Tirana has named one of the capital’s streets after him.
Cinematography
1958 – Tana
1965 — The first years…….Kasem
1967 — Triumph over death…..Telo
1968 — Open horizons…….Ymer
1970 — The Fitter Girl.. ..Master
1970 — Bronze Bust…uncle Asllani, the village miller
1971 — When a day dawned…..uncle Loni
1971 — War Mornings….Raqi, the tinker
1972 — The stars of the long nights……Ago
1973 — The Emperor’s Bed……….Meke, Partisan
1974 — The Explosion…….Lame
1974 — Paths of War… …Shaban’s father
1975 — Ben walks by himslef…..uncle Thomai, Ben’s grandfather
1975 — Alleys that sought the sun (TV movie)…..Jorgo, the owner of the cafe
1976 — Coping…….Platon Bubuqi
1976 — Bloody land…..Vasili
1976 — Lady from the city……Bako
1977 — Flag in the Wave (TV Movie)….. ..Nostromo
1977 — The Monument…….Llambro Leka, landscape gardner
1977 — New Shelter…..Loni
1979 — Freedom or death……Carçani
1979 — We came from the war …..Dulia
1980 — Little Partisan Velo….Partisan commander
1980 — Comradess from the village…..Bako
1981 — Dawn of the Great Season (TV Movie)..Sharko Sheqi
1982 — Second November…….Demir Arbana
1984 — Love your name……Thomai
1984 — Who dies on foot…The village priest
1984 — The Unforgettable….Koli
1985 — Hot autumn of `41….Bicaku
1986 — Strange wedding…..Ganiu
1986 — Small Encirclement…..Meti
1987 — My family ….Tasi
1987 — Spring Again….bricklayer
1989 — People in the stream…..Secretary’s Father
Awards and Titles
April 26, 1981
Festival medallion for the interpretation of the role of Bako in the film “Lady from the City” ” at the 4th Albanian Film Festival held in Tirana from April 20 to 26, 1981.
April 11, 1976
Festival medallion for the interpretation of the role of Jorgo, the owner of the cafe in the television movie “Alleys that sought the sun” at the Festival of the 1st Albanian Film held in Tirana from April 5 to 11, 1976.
1975 – People’s Artist
1955 – Class III Work Order
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Albanian Cinematography in activity since 2013
Reference: “Encyclopedia, theater and Albanian cinematography” – Toena 2009 / Papagjoni / p. 384-385 / As well as information extracted from various Albanian newspapers and portals (2014-2015-2916).
The photos are the contribution of the administrators of the page!
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