― 24 сентября 2018 г.
120th Anniversary of the Cinema of Azerbaijan celebrated at the Film Festival of Adana
In cooperation of TURKSOY with the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, a special session on the 120th Anniversary of the Cinema of Azerbaijan and a film projection took place within the framework of the 25th Film Festival of Adana this year
The festival hosted and attended by the Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality of Adana Hüseyin Sözlü took place in the 75th Year Art Galery and gathered a large audience of amateurs of art along with the Representative of Azerbaijan to TURKSOY Mr. Elçin Gafarlı, the State Artist of Azerbaijan Mr. Cahangir Novruzov, the film director and critic Mr. Ayaz Salayev and the scenarist and author Elshad Aliyev who presented papers on the history, evolution and present status of the art of cinema in Azerbaijan.
In his speech, Mr. Elşad Aliyev said that films shot and displayed in cinemas in Turkey are displayed in cinemas in Azerbaijan at the same time and that gala events are being held with the participation of actors, actresses and art directors of these films.
Mr. Aliyev who also said that joint cinema projects are being prepared in cooperatiopn of Turkey with Azerbaijan added that films of Azerbaijan received 7 awards in 5 festivals held in Turkey last year and stressed that this clearly stands as a proof of of the fruitful cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan in the field of cinema.
Mr. Aliyev who also touched upon the competition between cinema films produced in the USA and Turkey, added: "Up until recent years, the most popular films in Azerbaijan were films produced in the USA. However, there has been a shift in recent years and Turkish films have become much more poupular than American films in Azerbaijan."
film director and critic Mr. Ayaz Salayev who also said a few words at the event stressed that both Azerbaijan and Turkey express their views on global issues through films they produce.
Mr. Salayev who quoted verses of Nazım Hikmet's poem "Güzel günler göreceğiz çocuklar" (Children, We Will See A Brighter Future) said that the past of Azerbaijani and Turkish cinema may not have been as bright but that their future will certainly be very promising."
The opening speeches of the festival were followed by a special projection of the documentary directed by Yaver Rzayev on the history of the cinema of Azerbaijan "Biri Vardı, Biri Yoktu" (Once Upon A Time). During the projection, the audience of the festival in Adana was given some further information on the history, evolution and present status of the art of cinema in Azerbaijan.
At the opening event, it was further announced that the festival will also feature the film "Icheri Sheher" by the Azerbaijani Art Director Ilgar Safat.
