Today marks the 128th anniversary of Azerbaijani cinema.

Axar.az reports that by a decree signed by National Leader Heydar Aliyev on December 18, 2000, August 2 was declared the professional holiday of film industry workers – Azerbaijani Cinema Day.

The history of Azerbaijani cinema dates back to the end of the 19th century. On August 2, 1898, Aleksandr Mishon, the secretary of the Baku Scientific Photography Society, publisher and photographer, screened his chronicle documentaries "The Oil Gusher Fire in Bibi-Heybat," "The Farewell Ceremony of His Highness the Emir of Bukhara," "Caucasian Dance," as well as the fictional scene "You Got Caught."

That day is considered the birth date of national cinema.

In the following years, in 1915, the trading houses established by the Pirone brothers in the Caucasus created film distribution offices in Baku, Tiflis, and Yerevan.

Also in 1915, with the financial support of oil industrialists, the same company began filming the first Azerbaijani feature film of the same name based on Ibrahim bey Musabeyov's novel "In the Realm of Oil and Millions." Director Boris Svetlov was invited from St. Petersburg to direct the film.

A year later, the first film comedy based on Uzeyir Hajibeyov's operetta "Arshin Mal Alan" was produced in Baku.

During the period of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the government implemented numerous cultural and political reforms. Diplomatic, cultural, and economic relations with foreign countries encouraged the arrival of the first examples of world cinema in Baku and their public screenings. As a result, the number of cinematography enthusiasts in Baku began to grow. Thus, in 1918, the Council of Cinematography and Theatre Workers was established.

In 1923, the Azerbaijan Photo-Cinema Administration (AFKI) was founded. In 1924, AFKI produced the two-part feature film "The Legend of the Maiden Tower." From 1935, the Azerbaijanfilm film studio, and from 1960, the studio bearing the name of Jafar Jabbarli, produced dozens of films. Such films as "If Not That One, Then This One," "Arshin Mal Alan," "The Great Support," "Don't Be Afraid, I'm With You," and "Sevil" won the love of audiences and are still regarded as classics today.

During the 1960s–1980s, prominent directors such as Rasim Ojakov, Tofig Taghizadeh, Hasan Seyidbeyli, and Eldar Guliyev contributed to the formation of the national school of cinema through their distinctive artistic styles.

In the first years after Azerbaijan regained its independence, the film industry faced many difficulties. The material and technical base weakened, and film studios limited their activities. However, despite all the challenges, Azerbaijani cinema managed to overcome this difficult period.

In 1996, Huseyn Mehdiyev's film "Alien Time" won the awards for Best Director and Best Young Actress at the 1st Madrid International Film Festival, receiving the Golden Sibilla and Silver Sibilla awards.

Also, in 1998, Yavar Rzayev's film "Sari Gelin" won the Freedom Award, established by the United States, at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, as well as the Best Screenplay award at Russia's Kinoshock Festival.

Today, serious attention is paid to those working in the film industry by President Ilham Aliyev.

The President's decree "On the Development of Cinema in Azerbaijan," signed on February 23, 2007, gave new impetus to strengthening the material and technical base of national cinema. Furthermore, to ensure the implementation of the State Program for the Development of Azerbaijani Cinema for 2008–2018, approved by the President's relevant decree, many important measures were carried out.

It should be especially noted that, with funds allocated from the state budget for the development of the film industry, more than 250 feature, documentary, and animated films on topics of special importance to national interests were produced at Azerbaijanfilm, other state studios, and independent film companies. More than 60 films participated in over 230 international film festivals held in nearly 60 countries, winning 146 different awards.

August 2 – Azerbaijani Cinema Day – is a day of respect for the screen, for creative people, and for every director, actor, cinematographer, editor, and screenwriter who introduces our national values to the world. Cinema is history, cultural memory, and also a means for a nation to present itself to the world.

Source: en.axar.az