Tomka and His Friends

The Brief

Xhanfise Keko’s Most Famous Film - A Beloved Classic in Albania World War II in a small Albanian village: the Germans have set up a military camp on the children’s playground - something Tomka and his friends are not happy about. Not at all. Together with the communist partisans, the boys spy on the German soldiers and plan a spectacular act of sabotage. They keep it all secret from their unsuspecting parents, who warn them that “war is not all fun and games.” Tomka and His Friends is a film that truly deserves classic status in European cinema history. Albanian director Xhanfise Keko crafted a tightly woven and thrilling war drama with young protagonists, told in a way that feels both realistic and deeply atmospheric. The film is beautifully shot in black and white, combining a semi-documentary visual style with expressive lighting that lends it distinct film noir qualities.