ACCESS TO GOOD MOVIES

The cinema is so firmly rooted in our daily lives that it has become a part of our culture. Hardly anyone going to the cinema nowadays recalls the American Edison or the Parisian Lumière brothers, who presented the miracle of cinema to the world. December 28, 1895, the date when the first paid movie screening took place is considered the birthday of cinema as a form of art. The film critic Aydin Gasimzadeh cited facts showing that just three years after this event, on January 8, 1898, French films were demonstrated in Baku. On June 21, 1898, residents of Baku watched films made by the Baku-born French photographer and cinematographer A. M. Michon about the life of their city. And on August 2, he presented his own program including three newsreels and a documentary. This day is celebrated as the National Film Day. Some of the films made by Michon have been transferred from the archives of Paris to the State Film Fund of Azerbaijan.

Today the cinematography is in huge demand in many countries of the world being a well-developed industry and part of the economy. It took little more than a hundred years. And what has been done in Azerbaijan in 20-25 years of independence? Today our guest is the head of the Department of Cinematography under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan Yusif Sheikhov.

How well is the film distribution in our country?

We do not have a state-run distributing agency for about 20 years. The centralised system of public procurement has been cancelled long ago including the film distribution industry. This job is handled through private companies now.

Can you please provide some details?

In the past, the film production including the copying of films and cinematography in general had been financed by the state. The coverage was extensive: network of cinemas, cultural centres, clubs, etc. The market economy has changed this system. Today, our cinematography is still looking for its own path of development that has long been in effect say in Europe and the United States. Therefore, they have a well-developed industry. We are still trying to reach that level of quality.

It is said that the cinematography, in contrast to the theater, is experiencing a splash of activity. Are you agree?

Yes. There are a lot of films. Azerbaijanfilm and numerous production companies are producing films. The market economy and development of producer-backed films have significantly simplified the production process starting from writing a script down to the release of the film.

Which type of films is released more: state- or privately-funded?

Privately funded films, of course. Often these are low-budget movies but backed with well-organised marketing campaign and creative approach upon the release.

But in practice the privately funded movies often lack artistic nature. We often see the director's helplessness, which he tries to hide behind the genre of comedy. This is the case when the quantity cancels the quality. What is the solution to this problem?

Solution? I think that it will take some time until the quantity turns into quality. It is good that many films are produced: practice and natural selection will lead to a desired result.

What about professional film criticism?

It is almost non-existent. It disappeared when the cinema has ceased to be elitist. Serious professionals have ceased to engage in criticism. But we can see new names in this area, which is a completely different topic of discussion.

What about the state cinema?

It is in search of new names, new forms, new ideas, and interesting projects.

For example?

We have had a gap in professional continuity since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The most important thing is the identification of young professionals who will produce good professional cinema.

Are these special projects?

You can say so. For example, On the Fortieth Parallel is a project made in 2015. It includes four novels shot by young graduates of the Russian State Institute of Cinematography: Amil Mamibeyli, Aishad Safaraliyev, Emin Efendiyev, and Zamin Mamedov. It was an interesting project. Before that, there was another youth almanac titled The Urban Motives.

Are there any middle-aged directors attached to the Union of Cinematographers?

Yes, of course. You have surely watched Nabat directed by Elchin Musaoghlu, Downstream by Asif Rustamov, Stepnyak by Shamil Aliyev, The Red Garden by Mirbala Salimov, etc. Mirsadikh Aghazade and Ilgar Najaf have recently finished shooting Peace Be Upon Your Home and The Pomegranate Garden, respectively. Rufat Hasanov is completing his work on the film with a working title A Mall for Two.

What genres do directors prefer?

I cannot provide figures in percentage terms. Everyone chooses a genre that is interesting. Patriotic themes prevail in our films.

Anyone who prefers the comedy genre?

Ulviyya Konul and Rufat Hasanov produced their films in the genre of lyrical comedy

And which genre is more attractive for the audience?

I would say the comedy. When someone takes his family to a cinema, then he wants to have some rest instead of delving into the philosophical depths.

Any statistics?

Alas!

Why do people rarely take their families or friends to the cinema?

We have lost the culture of collective visits to cinemas. Perhaps this can be explained by the growing popularity of the Internet and television.

Is it possible to solve the problem of cinema occupancy?

Probably, if we instill in our children a taste for good art cinema and the ability to look at films as a phenomenon of art. Currently our parliament is working on a new law concerning the cinema. I hope that it will take into account and reflect many points related to the problems of modern domestic film production. Including the mechanism of popularisation of the national cinema. We are all waiting for this.

Let’s wrap up our discussion: today the state and producer funded cinema is in constant search of its development path. What about tomorrow?

New perspectives and new searches. Cinematography will remain in Azerbaijan forever. Currently it is at a new stage of development. As you know, this is the most difficult period: losses, disappointments but also victories!

What about the producer funded filmmaking?

Of course. For example, Baku Media Center has an interesting scope of work...

Yes! I saw one of their films, One Sun For All. A wonderful camerawork, wonderful script!

You see… So we just need some time. Time is the most fair teacher and judge. It is important to move forward to seek and to experiment.

What would you like to wish to yourself and everyone who creates modern cinema in Azerbaijan?

I wish we had as many good and interesting films as possible: both funded by the state and producers. And, of course, I wish we had a good, sensitive and demanding viewer, who seriously considers the Azerbaijani cinema as the most important work of Art...