The international feature film “Molla Nasreddin – My Friend in Hard Times” reveals the shared values and ancient wisdom of the Turkic peoples through the prism of humor. The screenwriter and director is People’s Artist of Azerbaijan Vagif Mustafayev. According to the director, Molla Nasreddin is not only about humor and satire, but also a symbol of an artistic response to society’s pain; therefore, bringing this character to the screen is both a great responsibility and a moral duty.
The project was approved at the 40th meeting of the Permanent Council of the Ministers of Culture of TURKSOY within the framework of the First Forum of Turkic World Culture, held in October 2023 in the city of Shusha, Azerbaijan. The large-scale film project, implemented under the auspices of the organization, brings together filmmakers from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan.
Recently, another stage of filming for “Molla Nasreddin – My Friend in Hard Times” took place in Turkmenistan. Filming was carried out in the picturesque locations of Gevers village and Bokurdak settlement in Ahal velayat. These places were chosen because of their natural scenery, which perfectly conveys the spirit of Molla Nasreddin’s adventures. Scenes featuring a caravan crossing the vast expanses of the Garagum Desert were filmed there.
Before filming began, the creators of the new movie conducted several casting sessions to select actors of different ages and nationalities. For a small but vivid role, they needed a young man with a photogenic appearance and strong horseback-riding skills. The choice fell on Shageldi Salykhov, a second-year student of the Theatre Arts Faculty at the Turkmen State Institute of Culture.
Shageldi Salykhov is a bright representative of the youth of the modern era. In 2021, he became the winner of the President of Turkmenistan’s creative competition “Türkmeniň Altyn asyry.” In 2022, Shageldi became a laureate of the Youth Prize of Turkmenistan, and in 2025 he participated in the national youth scientific works competition. Today, his name is known among poets and writers not only in Turkmenistan, but also in Russia and Belarus. Despite his young age, the poetry of Shageldi Salykhov, filled with delicate lyricism, has been published in the magazines “Sura,” “Severo-Muyskiye Ogni,” “Literary Acquaintances,” and “Metamorphoses.”
The international project to create the film “Molla Nasreddin – My Friend in Hard Times” gave the future playwright Shageldi Salykhov the opportunity to test his abilities as an actor.
According to Shageldi, he immediately immersed himself in the role. Of course, standing in front of a camera and following a director’s instructions for the first time was not easy. However, well-known Turkmen actors Chary Seyitliyev and Dovletgeldi Berdiyev, who are also involved in the project, supported the newcomer.
The filming process was carried out with the active assistance of the Oguzhan “Türkmenfilm” Association and was successfully completed thanks to the coordinated work of an international team of professionals. Students of creative specialties took part in the crowd scenes. The rich historical architecture and natural beauty of our country gave the adventures of the Eastern folk sage a unique depth.
Going beyond the framework of ordinary cinema, this film is becoming a powerful cultural bridge uniting our countries. Production is being carried out by “Nasreddin Production MMC” with the support of the ministries of culture of the TURKSOY member states. The film “Molla Nasreddin – My Friend in Hard Times” will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to the international promotion of the cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples.
