Category Archives: Featured

10 Reasons Klement Tinaj is the One Actor to Look Out for in 2015

Klement Tinaj is one of the most interesting actors to follow these days in Hollywood. He is known for his great versatile talent and has taken on fascinating roles on both theatre and film. Tinaj received his B.F.A in Theatre Arts and his MFA in Acting for Film. He was awarded the Excellence Award in Drama during his studies, as well as the “Certificate of Merit” and “Certificate of Recognition” for his academic achievements. Klement Tinaj founded Klement Tinaj Foundation to give back to the community by helping feed the homeless and the hungry. Tinaj has an impressive year ahead and here are ten reasons he is the ONE actor to look out for in 2015.

#1 He can race cars in Fast & Furious 7

Furious 7 hit the theatres today. Klement Tinaj was cast as the Race Wars Racer, adding to the exotic car collection of this action thriller. “We wanted to make Paul Walker proud with this film,” said Tinaj, “it was tough to watch the premiere as we all miss him!” Klement Tinaj shared the screen with the famous action stars Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson and Tony Jaa, who never disappoint their fans.

Fast &Furious 7, Actor Klement Tinaj with the models. Fast & Furious 7 is an action crime thriller, directed by James Wan, written by Chris Morgan and Gary Scott Thompson (characters), starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and Dwayne Johnson.

Fast &Furious 7, Actor Klement Tinaj with the models. Fast & Furious 7 is an action crime thriller, directed by James Wan, written by Chris Morgan and Gary Scott Thompson (characters), starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and Dwayne Johnson.

#2 He makes a pretty convincing detective and means serious business in “4Got10”

Klement Tinaj just finished filming “4Got10” directed by Timothy Woodward Jr, featuring Hollywood action stars Dolph Lundren and Danny Trejo. Tinaj plays the role of the “Detective”. Vivica Fox, Michael Paré and Johnny Messner also star in this action thriller. The movie is currently in post-production, to be released in 2016.

Actor Klement Tinaj in “4Got10” (2015), directed by Timothy Woodward Jr. (By Visionary Eye Entertainment ©)

Actor Klement Tinaj in “4Got10” (2015), directed by Timothy Woodward Jr. (By Visionary Eye Entertainment ©)

#3 He can cozy up to a romantic role and steel your heart away

Klement Tinaj is charming, and he can play the eternal romantic hero who can steel your heart away. Just as he can be a cool and tough guy doing street car races, or be an action hero to defend justice, Tinaj can also embody the good guy and the romantic loyal image. He brings the right emotional color to the production.

In the action thriller film “Last Chance” (2015), Klement Tinaj (playing Leo) cozies up with Paula Meilli (as Jessica) for a hot romantic scene. Starring Klement Tinaj, Paula Meilli, Jean Hyppolite , Robert Factor, Shawn Roth , and Adam Ohl, “Last Chance” is directed by Lin Zhao, written and produced by Klement Tinaj, cinematography by Alister Conway.

Klement Tinaj &  Paula Meilli in Last Chance (2015). “Last Chance” is an action short film, directed by Lin Zhao, written and produced by Klement Tinaj, starring Robert Factor, Jean Hyppolite and Paula Meilli. (By Visionary Eye Entertainment © 2015)

Klement Tinaj & Paula Meilli in Last Chance (2015). “Last Chance” is an action short film, directed by Lin Zhao, written and produced by Klement Tinaj, starring Robert Factor, Jean Hyppolite and Paula Meilli. (By Visionary Eye Entertainment © 2015)

#4 He is highly skilled as a martial artist

Klement Tinaj has mastered the discipline of Tae Kwan Do. He trained with Master Ho Lee in his Tae Kwon Do Academy in Yonkers, New York for four years. In March 15, 2008 he won the Inter School Tournament in Sparing, Forms and Breaking. He also won three gold medals. Klement Tinaj has performed several Tae Kwon Do demonstrations with his master in New York. He also competed in the Tae Kwon Do Championships in October 2011 and won the second place.

After years of training and obtaining a black belt, Klement Tinaj teaches Tae Kwan Do to students at different levels. He taught Art of Combat for New York Educational Theatre Festival in 2012 hosted and sponsored by The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and Los Angeles.

#5 Tinaj is an experienced Stunt Coordinator & fight choreographer

Klement Tinaj is an expert, highly trained in various forms of combat, and he also does his own stunts for films. Tinaj fight choreographed the play “Some Kind of Love Story”, written by Arthur Miller. He was the stunt coordinator for both films “Helping Hand” (dir. Lin Zhao) and “Last Chance” (dir. Lin Zhao).

On 28 March 2015 Klement Tinaj was invited as a special guest artist along with assistant and partner Roman Xing, to demonstrate the art of combat at the Californian Festival, held in Upland, California. They gave a live performance of stunts and stage combat.

Art of Combat, Stunt Coordinator/ Fight Choreographer Klement Tinaj and Roman Xing

Art of Combat, Stunt Coordinator/ Fight Choreographer Klement Tinaj and Roman Xing

#6 He is a triple threat: Actor, Producer and Director

Klement writes as well in addition to playing lead roles (“Good Night and Good Luck”, “My Diseased Love”, “Have You Ever Thought…?”) and appearing in major movies such as “Fast & Furious 7”, “The Second Coming of Christ” and “4Got10”. He was the producer of the film “Still Meadows” and the director & producer of the play “Some Kind of Love Story”.

Klement Tinaj acted, produced and co-wrote “Helping Hand” with George McGrath who was nominated for an Emmy Award “Pee-wee’s Playhouse in 1986.” He also wrote, produced and starred in “Last Chance” directed by Lin Zhao. Both films will premiere in New York City on April 12, 2015 at Producer Club Theaters, 6:00 pm (www.klementtinaj.com).

Klement Tinaj(Producer, Writer, Director) and Lin Zhao (Director) in Helping Hand (2015)

Klement Tinaj(Producer, Writer, Director) and Lin Zhao (Director) in Helping Hand (2015)

Klement Tinaj, Adam Ohl, Robert Factor & Shawn Roth in Last Chance (2015

Klement Tinaj, Adam Ohl, Robert Factor & Shawn Roth in Last Chance (2015

#7 He loves theatre and is a playwright

Klement Tinaj wrote and directed an original two-act play, a play that promises to “take the audience on a journey to a by-gone era.” Starring the talented cast, namely Roman Xing, Alina Smolyar, Kayla Eva, Melissa Carvajal and Leandro Simozza the play will open in the heart of Hollywood and travel around Los Angeles in May 2015.

#8 Yes he can play multiple roles in a single production

That is the kind of genius and creative artist Klement Tinaj is. He can embody multiple roles in one production. He is that convincing! In the play “Aladdin” the director chose Tinaj for two parts “Prince” and “Drummer”. In the children’s play “Dora” he stood out for his dual role of “Drum” and “Band”.

Actor Klement Tinaj and Cristy Fuentevilla in the theatre play “Amadeus”

Actor Klement Tinaj and Cristy Fuentevilla in the theatre play “Amadeus”

#9 Klement Tinaj can also sing and write songs

Klement Tinaj loves performing music and sings Albanian folk music. He has debut two singles (“Pa Mua”, “Leila, Leila”). Singing is his hobby, however his number one passion is acting.

#10 He brings a fresh image on the American cinema screen

Klement Tinaj is spontaneous, fresh and authentic. Klement Tinaj has certainly proved his star potential in the last few years. He is capturing the attention of famous Hollywood filmmakers. With his talents, charm, charisma, ambition and gifted skills Tinaj keep audiences and critics wanting more. He has a captivating spirit and has proved himself as an actor, producer, director and martial artist. Klement Tinaj is a true star in the making! He is one to keep out an eye out for sure in 2015. 

Roman Xing, Leandro Simozza, Klement Tinaj, Dina Angelson and Al Sapienza in The Second Coming of Christ (2015), an action-drama directed by Daniel Anghelcev.

Roman Xing, Leandro Simozza, Klement Tinaj, Dina Angelson and Al Sapienza in The Second Coming of Christ (2015), an action-drama directed by Daniel Anghelcev.

Five Diaspora Highlights of 2014

2014 was a successful year for the Kosovo and Albanian diaspora across the world.  Representatives of diaspora were noted for their accomplishments in various fields including sports, music, arts and business. We have compiled here only five highlights to remember 2014 and welcome 2015.  This list is  by no means exhaustive as it includes only some of the many successes of our diaspora.

1. Majlinda is the Best Judoka in World!

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Majlinda Kelmendi, the record-smashing judoka from Kosovo, was announced as the best judoka in the world for 2014 by the International Judo Federation.  She is World and European champion in judo in the 52 kg category. The 23-year old Majlinda has become the hope of her country for the Rio Olympics in 2016 after Kosovo gained full membership in the International Olympic Committee last December.  We wish her all the best as she keeps winning gold!

2. Rita Ora Performed in Washington at President Obama’s Christmas concert

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Rita made us all proud with her flawless voice and looks at the President Obama’s concert in Washington.  See the video below:

3. Xherdan Shaqiri scored a hat trick at the World Cup

Xherdan scored three goals in a single match for Switzerland against Honduras during the World Cup held last summer in Brazil.  The Swiss national team depended in large part on the other Albanian players as well: Valon Behrami, Granit Xhaka, Blerim Xhemajli, Admir Mehmeti and Pajtim Kasami.

4. Shkodran Mustafi and Germany won the World Cup

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Shkodran Mustafi became the first Albanian to play for a winning team at the World Cup!

5. Shkëlzen Doli performed at the Vienna Philharmonic concert

The cherry on the cake was a wonderful performance of Albanian music at the Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s concert by Shkëlzen Doli, who was born in Albania and raised in Kosovo.

 

Last but not least, here’s a remake in Pristina of the 2014 hit “Happy”:

A Kosovar In The World Of Fashion

Izet Curri is a popular name in the stylist and fashion industry. Born in the small village of Drubnjak in Kosovo, his quest to world fame, is filled with hardships with twists and turns. In fact there mere choice of becoming a fashion designer had been imposed. The Skopje earthquake had left Mr. Curri’s mother a single parent with 8 children to look after. In order to make ends meet, Izet and his siblings were engaged in learning crafts. By chance, Mr. Izet Curri chose to work with a tailor. From Skopje based Cale – Jakimovski Strahil to Branko Angelkovsk, Mr. Izet Curri has  been designing and working with fabric and scissors since 1948.

His decision to move to Paris in 1970 would quickly prove fruitful , for following a short peniless roam, Izet manages to find a job in the workshop of a subcontractor to the world known Hermes brand. From there on between the years of 1973 to 1997, famous creators such as Thierry Mugler,Azzedine Alaia and Jean Paul Gaultier would invite him to dezign,hold positions such as technical director of garment factories and even work as a modeller.

Between 2000 and 2005, Izet Curi worked with designers and renowned fashion houses such as Anne Valerie Hash, Pascal Humbert  , Chloe , or Frédéric Molénac. Then with Jean-Claude Jitrois , Chanel or Christian Lacroix from 2006 to 2007.

Mr.Curri currently runs his own design studio and a fashion school, Design Factory in Pristina in Kosovo and regularly works with schools such as MFI or ESMOD in the Master Model off-Arts (creative pattern).

For more please check out the recent interview Mr.Curi was invited to;