The Death of the Horse

The Death of the Horse (Albanian: Vdekja e kalit) is a 1992 Albanian film directed by Saimir Kumbaro, written by Nexhati Tafa, and starring Timo Flloko, Rajmonda Bulku, and Niko Kanxheri. It is noted for being one of the first Albanian films that critically explores the harsh realities of Enver Hoxha's communist dictatorship, as well as the country's yearning for a democratic transition. Although a fictional film, the story is thought to be based on the lived experiences of a former general, Petrit Dume, who was executed by Hoxha.

The Death of the Horse
Directed by	Saimir Kumbaro
Written by	Nexhati Tafa
Starring	Timo Flloko Niko Kanxheri
Cinematography	Bardhyl Martiniani
Music by	René Aubry
Distributed by	Albafilm
Release date	April 28, 1992 (1992-04-28)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	Albania
Language	Albanian

Plot

The film takes place in 1974 and follows a respected military horse trainer, Argon, whose regimen is suspected of being involved in a coup against the communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha.[1] In retaliation, the regime decides to destroy the army's horses by announcing that the horses are sick and must be shot. Agron, a devoted officer who knows that the horses are not sick, offers to shoot a beautiful Arab stallion he loves. However, instead of killing the horse, he takes it into the country and he gives it to some gypsies.

The commissar at the stud suspects what has happened and denounces (spies) Agron. After being arrested and tortured, he is put on trial where, despite testimony from the commandant of the stud who knows the commissar's malice, he is sentenced to fifteen years. His parents are evicted from their flat and sent into exile. Under pressure from her family, his pregnant wife files for divorce and then dies after a backstreet abortion.

Agron is released while the streets are full of jubilant citizens celebrating the overthrow of the dictatorship. With no family to return to, he wanders the streets when he suddenly bumps into the ex-commissar, newly elected to Parliament. The man promises that he did everything he could to save Agron and will now do anything he can to help. Agron stares at him coldly, and the ex-commisar leaves. Agron walks away, alone, in unknown direction.

Cast

• Timo Flloko as Agron
• Niko Kanxheri as Commisar Estref
• Rajmonda Bulku as Meri Agron's wife

External links

• Vdekja E Kalit at IMDb
• The Death of a Horse - Albanian Movie With English Subtitles at YouTube
• The Death of a Horse summary and reviews at Letterboxd
• A Season of Classic Films: The Albanian Film 'The Death of a Horse' at International Federation of Film Archives