THE MAN IN GREEN SPECTACLES

We met with the People's Artist of Azerbaijan Haci Ismayilov a month and a half before the New Year. Despite being very busy with his work on new roles, he kindly agreed to find time for us in his busy schedule. But it so happened that the publication of the interview was delayed all the time due to the acute shortage of space as the latest issues were rich in reports on various events. "Haci muallim will understand us," we said to ourselves every time as we waited for a better moment. And it has come - the New Year and the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis.

- Haci muallim, 24 years ago, in anticipation of the Year of the Dragon, you played the main role in the television play "The Man in Green Spectacles". The mission of your character was to gather together relatives who had long forgotten each other around the New Year table. Do you think that after all these years when we expect another Year of the Dragon, it is possible to consider Qafar's mission accomplished?

- The author of this work was Vaqif Samadoglu and director Ramiz Hasanoglu. I worked with them in many plays. But this work is closer and dearer to me than others. Playing such a role was my great and long-time desire. Whether because of different times or for some other reason, people have become cooler towards each other and distanced themselves, especially from their relatives. Remembering my childhood, I see that relatives visited each other more often at the time. I myself wanted to do something to gather all my relatives together. Of course, the dragon heads distributed in the play were symbols that were subsequently assembled on one body - that is to say the main aim was to gather the whole family together. This was the desire of my youth.

I must say that this play influenced my further life. I began to communicate more with my family, phoned and visited them. You cannot live alone. You must share joy and sorrow with your relatives. There is even a saying: "If you share your joy, it will increase, if you share your grief, it will decrease." Art is a force that certainly teaches something to people. "The Man in Green Spectacles" is shown on TV before every Year of the Dragon. And I'm sure that every time someone follows his example.

- Haci muallim, how do you feel?

- I feel great. I continue to live and work. I'm trying to meet the expectations of the audience.

- How is it going in the theatre?

- Good. We successfully began the 39th season. There is no shortage of viewers. Some new plays have been presented. I think they're successful. This season, that is November, was the most successful for us. As you know, the Second International Theatre Festival started in Baku on 5 November, and for us it's a festival of culture. Our country has successfully hosted many international events. And apart from our actors, this festival, which was held jointly by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the National Academy of Sciences and the Union of Theatre Artists of Azerbaijan, was attended by nearly 80 actors and artists from CIS countries, Europe and America. The festival was not only a holiday for us, but was a clear manifestation of President Aliyev's care about theatre art. And this mood from the festival is still with us.

- Can you name the plays whose rehearsals you visit with pleasure?

- This season, I play in several performances I regard as very fortunate like others. The theatre season at our theatre always opens with I. Afandiyev's play "Qarabagnama". And this year, we are faithful to tradition. I play Iravan's Khan Mahammad there. Moreover, I have a role in Elcin Afandiyev's "Telescope". Miralamov's play "Ganja Gate" will soon be staged in our theatre. In this work, I also play Iravan's Khan Mahammad, but from a completely different angle. There are several other performances - not only by Azerbaijani, but also by foreign authors. For example, there is Friedrich Durrenmatt's play "The Visit" where I play the role of the school director. The director of our theatre, Marahim Farzalibayov, is now preparing a new production of Hasan Hasanov's play "Letters from Brussels". This performance was staged in our theatre over 10 years ago and a performance from a completely different perspective is now being prepared. As before, I play the role of the French writer Benjamin Gastineau again. But, of course, my approach will be completely different today because I want the character to be more valuable and interesting.

- Haci Ismayilov does not star in serials. Why is that?

- The appearance of local serials on our TV channels is very good. To be honest, I didn't get invitations to appear in them at the beginning. They offered me roles in serials that were already being broadcast. I'm just not interested in starring in a film that is already being broadcast. I want to receive an invitation from the very beginning and play a role from the beginning to the end - a role that has its own life. I was not interested in episodic roles for a couple of series. I think the number of serials and their quality will increase. As an actor, I have no right to act anywhere. It doesn't suit me. I confess I haven't watched all serials. Maybe they were broadcast, but they didn't attract my attention. I believe that more interesting serials will be shot in the future, and I'll be invited to star in them.

- Who brought you the most joy in life?

- This person was one of the most professional directors of Azerbaijani cinema and my unforgettable teacher Rasim Ocaqov. He was my teacher not only in art but also in life. I will always be indebted to him. Ocaqov showed me a way in art, and I experienced a school to which I shall be true all my life. He was a top-class professional, and I try to keep to this level. So for me it would be wrong to accept any role.

- The film "Istanbul Story" is considered a logical sequel to the film "Birthday", or to be exact - the life of Mustafa. And they say that all your roles reflect your character. What do you think about this? Do you have a role, about which we can say: "Yes, that's Haci Ismayilov from the beginning to the end"?

- That's right. This movie is a logical continuation of the life of geography teacher Mustafa. It has been many years since these movies were filmed. I'm very glad that viewers still love watching them. It's surprising that, along with them, viewers also mention the names of other movies, for example, "The Scream". This is the movie of our late master Ceyhun Mirzayev, where he plays a major role. Despite the fact that I play a small role there, viewers love it. The same can be said of my work in the film "Kidnapped Groom", which is also well-liked by the audience. I'm happy that what was made at the time was not wasted. Naturally, the peak of my career at the time is the role of Mustafa. I compare the film "Birthday" to a crystal vase. It's built on sad notes and tells what a teacher from the province encountered in an unfamiliar city. And in the "Istanbul Story", that person acts as a patriot who loves his country and is loyal to it. Naturally, there is a similarity between me and Mustafa. I think most of the films shot at the time, as well as the ones I mentioned were an event in cinema. My dream is that today's movies and serials also become an event, not a fleeting work that leaves us indifferent. In this case, the viewers will watch them with pleasure and many times.

- By the way, in your life have you encountered people like Davud from the "Istanbul Story"?

- Unfortunately, I have, and not in Turkey, but in Azerbaijan. They say that a person encounters what he thinks about. I think such things happen in the movies, but it turned out that there are such persons in life as well. People should not deceive each other as they have to believe each other. You know it's very painful when a loved one suddenly starts to use you. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Unfortunately, this story happened to me, and the end was the same as in the case of Davud from the film. If this person reads the interview, I want to say to him: "Be a man."

- And finally, we would like to hear your New Year wishes.

- The New Year is a new life, new dreams and new plans. The New Year is a novelty in every sense of the word. And there are a lot of desires. I must say that I'm not old, I'm just a little more mature (laughs). As long as I'm in arts, I know what my audience expects from me. In turn, as long as I have power and opportunity, I'll try to meet their expectations so that they do not waste their time. Only then, will I rest. I would like to wish Azerbaijani theatre and culture in general a great success. In conclusion, I would like to congratulate all our people on the New Year and the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis. I wish you all happiness and success!

ABOUT HIM

Haci Macid oglu Ismayilov was born in Baku on 22 January 1944. In 1963, he entered the faculty of cinema and theatre actors at the Mirzaaga Aliyev Azerbaijan State Theatre Institute. He began his acting career with the role of Dervish Mastalishah in M. F. Axundov's comedy "Monsieur Jordan and Dervish Mastalishah". He played the role of Jeff in John Patrick's drama "The Curious Savage" and Mammadali bay in C. Cabbarli's play "Sevil". Since 16 February 1970, he has been working in the National Academic Drama Theatre. He has created memorable roles in the movies "Birthday", "Istanbul Story", "Kidnapped Groom", "The Scream", "Last Pass", "Road Story" and "The Guy on a White Horse".

For his services in theatre and cinema, which he equally loves, actor Haci Ismayilov was awarded the honorary title of "Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan" on 17 May 1989 and "People's Artist of Azerbaijan" on 19 December 2000. He is a presidential scholarship holder.