AZERBAIJANI CINEMA IN 1935-1988. SOUND FILMS
The production of sound films began with the movie "On the Shores of a Blue Sea" (film director B.V.Barnet) produced by "Azerfilm" and "Mejrabromfilm" (Moscow) studios in 1935. Well-known soviet actors L.N.Shverdlin, N.A.Kryuchkov, V.A.Kuzmina and others played leading roles in the film. More than 10 sound films were released from 1936 to the 1940s.
This was the time when the short sound movies "The Motherland's Son" and "Bakhtiyar" (1941,1942, film director A.Guliyev), which were devoted to the heroes of Kamal Gasimov and Bakhtiyar Karimov, who fought in the World War II, "Sabuhi" about the life and activity of M.F.Akhundov (1942, film directors A.I.Bek-Nazarov, R.Tahmasib), the three-part "One Family" (1943, film directors G.V.Aleksandrov, R.Tahmasib, M.Mikayilov), and the feature film "The T-9 Submarine", devoted to the heroism of sailors in the time of war (1943, film director A.Ivanov), were shot.
The musical comedy Arshin Mal Alan by U.Hajibeyov went on screen again in 1945. The film directors R.Tahmasib and N.Leshenko made a brilliant reality comedy, dominated by Azerbaijan's national style and sense of humour. The film was a success in the former USSR and many countries around the world. The film directors R.Tahmasib and N.Leshenko, composer U.Hadjibayov, actors R.Behbudov, L.Badirbayli, A.Huseynzade, M.Kalantarli and L.Abdullayev were awarded with the USSR State Prize in 1946.
The major field of activity of the Baku film studio in the late 1940s and early 1950s was the making of artistic-documentary and publicists films. "Fatali Khan" (1947, film director V.I.Dzigan, released in 1959) and "The Baku Lights" (1950, film directors I.V.Xeyfits, A.G.Zarkhi and R.Tahmasib) were made during this period.
A new stage of Azerbaijani films development began in the middle of the 1950s. National scenario writers, film directors, cameramen, artists developed. Most of them (I.Gasimov, A.Mammadkhanli, I.Tagizade, L.Safarov, H.Seyidbayli, A.Ibrahimov, N.Ismayilov, H.Seyidzade, Sh.Mahmudov, A.Atakishiyev, Kh.Babayev, A.Narimanov, T.Akhundov, R.Odjagov, K.Nadjafzade, J.Azimov, E.Rzaguliyev, N.Zeynalov and others) studied in the Soviet State Cinematography Institute.
The development of the movie industry led to the widening of their subjects during those years. Labour and life of workers, collective farmers and others were the main subjects of the films. For instance, "Under The Broiling Sun" (1957, film director L.Safarov), "Black Stones" (1958, film director A.Quliyev), "The Shades Are A Creeping" (1958, film directors I.Afandiyev and Sh.Sheykhov), "His Large Heart" (1959, film director A.Ibrahimov), "A True Friend" (1959, T.Tagizade), "Could He Be Forgiven" (1960, film director Tahmasib), "Our Street" (1961, film director A.Atakishiyev), "A Large Pier" (1962, film director H.Ismayilov), "A Telephone Girl", "There Is Such An Island As Well" (1962,1963, film director H.Seyidbayli), "Stepmother" (1959, film director H.Ismayilov).
Films on different subjects were made in Baku film studio. "Two Boys Of The Same Block" (film directors A.Ibrahimov and I.V.Gurin, cameramen M.M.Pilikhina and R.Odjagov, compositor G.Garayev) describes one Eastern nation's struggle for freedom and democracy.
"On Distant Shores", devoted to brave guerrilla Mehdi Huseynzade (1958, film director T.Tagizade), is one of the achievements of Azerbaijan, as well as former soviet film. Dynamic, tense events, exactly presented characters, high level of cameraman and producer work brought fame to the film. The artistic film "Koroglu" ("A Blind's Son", 1960, film director H.Seyidzade) is the first example of colour wide-screen film. "Morning" (1961, film director A.Guliyev) describes the revolutionary events of 19905-1907. "So The Song Is Composed" (1959, film directors R.Tahmasib and M.Mikayilov) was devoted to Suleyman Stalski, the popular poet of Daghestan. "Love epos" (1961, film director L.Safarov) was shot on the basis of the poem "Leyli and Madjnun".
The tendency towards the genre of musical comedy strengthened in Azerbaijan after "Arshin Mal Alan". "The Meeting" (1955, film director T.Tagizade), "Beloved Song" ("Bakhtiyar", 1955, film director L.Safarov, leading role R.Behbudov), "No matter This or That" (1965, film director H.Seyidzade), "Romeo is my neighbour" (1963, film director Sh.Mahmudbayov), "Where is Amad" (1964, film director A.Isgandarov), "Ulduz" (1964, film director A.Guliyev), "Arshin Mal Alan" (1965, film director T.Tagizade), "Mother In Law" (1978, film director H.Seyidzade) and other films continued this tradition.
1960-1970s are symbolized with the appearance of the large youth group in cinematography (scenario writers R. and M.Ibrahimbayov brothers, Anar, A.Akhundova, I.Huseynov, V.Samadoglu, R.Fataliyev, film directors A.Babayev, E.Guliyev G.Mirgasimov, I.Afandiyev, T.Ismayilov, G.Azimzade, G.Babayev, cameramen Z.Maharramov, R.Ismayilov, R.Gambarov, V.Karimov, artists F.Bagirov, R.Ismayilov, actors H.Mammadov, Sh.Alakbarov, H.Turabov, R.Balayev, Sh.Mammadova and others). Their cooperation with art workers of middle age leads to rising of a professional level of Azerbaijan film, the appearance of films, differing with national peculiarity and idea depth. For example, "In a Southern City" (1969, film director E.Guliyev) focus on the struggle between novelty and backwardness, throwing the yoke of old traditions. Moral problems, different views on life, analysis of human characters, forming of the young generation and other subjects occupy the main place in the films of this period. ("The Last Night of Childhood", "A Day Passed" (1969,1971, film director A.Babayev), "The Head Interview", "Thank You, Girls" (1971,1973, film director E.Guliyev), "Life Tests Us" (1971, film director Sh.Mahmudbayov), "Cares of happiness" (1976, H.Seyidbayli) and others. Attention to moral problems increased in Azerbaijan film in the late 1970s-1980s. Tendency toward complicated psychological situations, observations related with protest against self-respect, selfishness, severity, mercilessness is strong in the films by scenario writer R.Ibrahimbayov and film director R.Odjagov such as "The Investigation" (1979, main prize of the 14th All-Union film festival, Dushanbe,1980; USSR State Prize,1981), "A Closed Door" (1981), "The Park" (1983), "Another Life" (1987), "Forgive Me If I Die" (1988)). These subjects newly opened in films "Tell That You Love Me" (1977, film director M.Ibrahimbayov), "Forgive Us" (1979, film director A.Babayev, "A Silvery Van" (1982), "Devil In Font of Everybody's Eyes" (1987, film director G.Mirgasimov, 21st All-Union film festival prize, Baku,1988), "The Structure of A Moment", "A Business Trip" (1982, film director R.Ismayilov), "Great-great-grandfather", "A Garden Season" (1985, film director T.Tagizade), "A Piece of Ice In The Warm Sea" (1983, film director Y.S.Gusman), " The Silver Lake Legend", "A Whirlpool", "Diversion" (1984, 1986, 1989, film director E.Guliyev). Character deformation was depicted by modern artistic means, satiric colours in the film "Idiot" (1988, film director V.Mustafayev). This film raised interest in our country and abroad.
Some interesting, original films on historical-revolutionary subjects were produced in 1960-1980s. "Stars don't go out" (1971, film director A.Ibrahimov), devoted to N.Narimanov's activity, made in corporation with "Mosfilm" studio, is remarkable. "I would like to have seven sons" made on motives of "Komsomol poem" by S.Vurgun (1970, film director T.Tagizade; Azerbaijan Lenin Komsomol prize, 1970) was devoted to Komsomol of the 1920s. Matching of high ideological content, citizenship motives, cinematographic expression means and beautiful artistic performance are significant advantages of the film. "Samt wind" (1973, film director E.Guliyev) is the first film in the history of Azerbaijan film, made in corporation with foreign film studio (Czechoslovakia). Class struggle in Azerbaijan villages in the first years of the Soviet government is reflected on the films "The last pass" (1971, film director K.Rustambayov) and "Mule Mammad" (1974, film director R.Odjagov). "Bay of joy" (1977, film director A.Babayev; Azerbaijan SSR State Prize 1978), "In the middle of night, the day after tomorrow" (1981, film director A.Babayev; Azerbaijan SSR State Prize, 1986), "Saddle horses" (1983, film director H.Turabov, Azerbaijan SSR State Prize, 1986), "Wait for a sign from the sea" (1986, film director J.Mirzayev) are also on historical subject.
The life of the poet, protesting against injustices of the feudal world, and social, moral problems of that time reflected on the film "Nasimi" (1973, film director H.Seyidbayli, 7th All-Union film festival prize for the best historical film, 1975). "Dada Gorgud" (1975, film director T.Tagizade) is distinguished by poesy. Struggle under the command of Azerbaijan military leader Babak against Arab Caliphate in XI century is reflected in the film "Babak" (1979, film director E.Guliyev). Nizami's character was created in the film "Nizami" (1982, film director E.Guliyev), while we can see J.Mammadguluzade's character in the film "Window of sadness" (1986, film director Anar).
"Birthday" (1977, film director R.Odjagov, the first February prize of 8th All-Union television films, Baku,1979, Azerbaijan SSR State prize,1980) is particularly differing. "Dante's jubilee ", "You can not take the only island", "The last night of the last year" (1978,1980,1983, film director G.Azimzade) "I want to know" (1980, film director G.Mirgasimov) and others artistic films are also the production of Azerbaijan Television. Television film "Uzeyir Hadjibayov. Accords of long life" (1981, film director Anar) is made on the basis of archive materials.
The Second World War was reflected on some films as "Our teacher Jabish" (1970, film director H.Seyidbayli), "Winds blow in Baku" (1974, film director M.Dadashov), "Fife sound" (1975, film director R.Odjagov) etc. The life of Baku in the last months of the war was particularly openly described in the film "Joint bread" (1969, film director Sh.Mahmudbayov; Azerbaijan SSR State prize,1969). "I loved you more than life" (1985) was devoted to Hazi Aslanov, the Soviet Union Hero.
Child film production was also in the centre of attention: ("Secret of a tower", "Magic dressing gown", "Qarib in the genies country" (1959, 1964, 1987, film director A.Atakishiyev), "Lion leaves home" (1978, film director R.Ismayilov), "I compose song", "Along ways full of suffering", "Teacher of music" (1979, 1982, 1983, film director T.Ismayilov), "Secret of ship clock" (1982, film director R.Shabanov), "Casket of Ismayil bay" (1983, film director G.Azimzade) etc. The first Azerbaijan fantastic film ("Relation", film director Ch.Zeynalov) was made in 1989.
The creative potential of a documentary film was strengthened by the formation of sound-film. Announcer text and performance of feature story heroes was firstly given in the synchronic form in the documentary chronicle of one part "Well-known Azerbaijan" (1935, film director and scenario writer B.V.Pumyanski, V.Yeremeyev). Newsreel "Azerbaijan screen" issued under the name "Order-bear Azerbaijan" ( 36 numbers per year) since 1939. Some of the silent films of 1930s such as full-length films "Way to the East" (1934, film director A.A.Makovski) and "Azerbaijan fine art" is remarkable. In 1940 film directors M.Mikayilov and V.Yeremeyev made documentary "20th spring" in connection with 20th anniversary of Soviet government established in Azerbaijan.
A group of Azerbaijan documentary film directors (A.Hasanov and others) and cameramen (M.Mustafayev, M.Dadashov, S.Badalov, V.Y.Yeremeyev, Ch.Mammadov and others.) record soldiers' heroism in the front-line.
These materials were sent to different fronts for showing special issues. News-reel and feature story, reflecting Azerbaijan people's labour in the rear, appeared in this period: "For Motherland" (1943, film director A.Hasanov), "Care" (1943, A.Guliyev), "Response to the letter" (1944, film director I.Afandiyev), "Brother help" (1944, film director A.Dadashov) etc. Film studio "Baku kinostudiyasi" in cooperation with Moscow Documentary Film Studio shot full-length "The Caspians" (film directors G.V.Aleksandrov and N.I.Bolshakov), depicting Caspian sailors' heroism in 1944. Film director H.Seyidzade made the full-length documentary "Country of eternal fires" in connection with 25th anniversary of Soviet government established in 1945.
Issue of news-reel "Young generation" began along with "Soviet Azerbaijan" (36 number per year; former news-reel "Order-bear Azerbaijan") in post-war years. Scenarists I.Gasimov, A.Gulubayov, film directors Z.Kazimova, L.Safarov, cameramen A.Narimanbayov, T.Akhundov, Kh.Babayev, compositors G.Garayev, T.Guliyev and others began their activity in documentary film sphere in 1945-1950s. The full-length film "On the other bank of Araz" (1947, film directors IAfandiyev, E.I.Shub), describing freedom struggle of South Azerbaijan people in 1945-1946, draw attention. Coloured full-length documentary "Soviet Azerbaijan" (film directors M.Dadashov, F.Kiselyov) was made in connection with 30th anniversary of Soviet government victory in Azerbaijan in 1950. The film was awarded the Cannes (France) international film festival special prize in 1951. Contemporaneity, people's mode of life, work achievements occupy leading place in the creation of documentary filmmakers afterwards: "In the gulf named after S.M.Kirov" (was awarded with Venetia international film festival prize in 1955), "He Who Searches Will Find" (1955, 1969, film directors S.Mammadov), "Along way of happiness " "Our Azerbaijan" (1957,1959, film director M.Dadashov). "Baku and its residents" (1957, film director L.Safarov), "Spring of Azerbaijan culture" ( 1960, film directors Ch.Mammadov, Kh.Babayev), " M.F.Akhundov" (1962, film director N.Badalov) ."Epos about Caspian oil industry worker" (1953), one of the wonderful examples of soviet film, and "Sea conquerors" (1959) were shot by world-famous film director R.L.Karmen in Baku film studio. Selfless labour and life of sea oil industry workers reflected on these films. Film director R.L.Karmen, cameramen Ch.Mammadov and S.Y.Medinski were awarded Lenin prize for these works (1960).
The youth like G.Mirgasimov, Y. Afandiyev, R.Shahmaliyev, T.Bakirzade, N.Bakirzade began their activity in the documentary film of 1960-170s. Certain changes (absence of announcer text, poetical mood, exact montage) in documentary film style is well seen in films "Sea" (1965), "Gobustan" (1966), "This is the voice of truth", "Composer Gara Garayev" (1967) by film director G.Mirgasimov in the second part of 1960s.
G.Mirgasimov was awarded Azerbaijan Lenin Komsomol prize for these films in 1967. Film director Y.Afandiyev, scenario author I.Shikhli, cameraman Z. Mammadov of the film "How good that there is Samad Vurgun in the world" (1967), film director Ch.Zeynalov of "Like spring that does not fade " (1979), devoted to J.Jabbarli's memories, were awarded Azerbaijan Lenin Komsomol Prize. Examples of interesting scientific-and-mass films were produced in 1970-1980s: "Memories of patterns" (1973, film director I.Afandiyev), "Goldfish" (1975, film director Ch.Faradjov), "Where are you, green bank" (1983, V.Mikayilov), "Secret of Eskulap bowl" (1984, film director T.Bakirzade), "Revival" (1984, film director Ch.Faradjov), "Land dept" (1986, film director T.Mutallimov) etc. Filmmakers look for new ways of choosing and searching of actual subjects, the additional potential of shooting method, montage and postscoring. "Dissonance" (1977), "Absheron towers" (1989) by film director T.Bakirzade, "With spring" (1978), "Removal" (1983) by Z.Maharramov, "Vagrant" (1985), "Expectation" (1986) by Ch.Zeynalov, "Life turning into eternity" (1987), "Dead zone" (1988) by R.Nagiyev, "Spring following winter" (1989) by V.Mikayilov are remarkable.
Production of satiric news-reel "Mozalan" began in "Azerbaycanfilm" film studio in 1970-ci. Antipodes of society, defects in daily life and housing are criticized in the news-reel. Till the Second World War, there were only efforts to shoot animated films in Azerbaijan. Artist and producer-multiplier courses were organized in 'Azerbaijanfilm' studio in 1966.
About 7 artistic, 20 documentary and scientific-and-mass films were produced in-studio "Azerbaycanfilm" per year. 7th and 21st All-Union film festivals (1974,1988), 40th international festival of film-lovers (UNIKA-78) were held in Baku.