The sound of the other: Albanian–Italian relations and Kinostudio films

Abstract This paper investigates Albanian-Italian relations through the analysis of two relatively notable films produced by Kinostudio in the Seventies: Gjeneral Gramafoni (General Gramophone, 1977) directed by Viktor Gjika and Koncert në Vitin 1936 (Concert in 1936, 1978) by Saimir Kumbaro. Since both films narrate events related to the propagation of Italian language and music, I analyse the way in which the directors portray the experience of listening as a mediator of Albanian-Italian relations. The investigation of these works is particularly useful to understand the contradictory ways in which filmmakers considered the effects of Italian and ‘Western’ cultural influences in Albanian society. By drawing on theoretical insights taken from postcolonial studies and phenomenology, I argue that Albanians’ attitude toward Italy and the ‘West’ was conditioned by the decolonisation process and by the way in which the regime positioned toward Western Europe.