On May 10, the Ashgabat Cinema played host to the Turkmen Movie Week’s opening ceremony, having turned into the center of attraction for movie lovers. And those who had dreamed of walking the red carpet surrounded by a host of film stars were finally able to fulfill their wish.
The Week opened with the premiere of ‘Durmuş Kyssalary’ (‘Life Stories’). At the entrance, visitors were welcomed by a large poster for the movie. Anyone wishing not only had a chance to pose for photographs in front of the poster, but also talk to the actors with starring roles in the movie and members of the crew.
– We are greatly honored that ‘Durmuş Kyssalary’ is the opening film of the Week, director Arslan Eyeberdyev said. In the movie, we tried to reflect modern trends in the Turkmen film industry, to add the dynamics and to enhance the novelty of visual perception. The movie was shot in many locations throughout Turkmenistan. I hope viewers will come to love the cinematic story that will be shown today.
Notable film director and producer Roman Polanski once said: “Cinema should make you forget you are sitting in a theater.” The new Turkmenfilm movie has viewers enthralled from its opening moments, putting them right at the heart of the action.
It tells the story of three friends - a young scientist, a poet and sportsman - whose relationship is put to the test. The men, who have very different personalities and occupations, prove that their friendship is built on honesty, loyalty and dignity.
– Turkmen movies have an important identifying feature: they are based on national traditions, and boast a distinctive flavor and metaphorical expressions. In our movies you will never see characters that overstep ethically and morally acceptable limits. My character in ‘Durmuş Kyssalary’ comes to realize that he is wrong and takes steps to remedy the situation, lead actor Annadurdy Tachliev told.
Turkmenfilm production designer Bayram Pachikuliev shared his thoughts on the Turkmen Movie Week:
– The wonderful film forum has brought together talents from all over the country. I am glad that young people have the opportunity to put their talents to good use, realize their creative potential and communicate their views on the history and the present. I participated in the production of one of the movies that was part of the Ashgabat Spring Festival. It shows Ashgabat in its early stages of development.
It was nice to see Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Dovlet Khanmammedov among those attending the opening ceremony. Back in the past, he started out on his career at the Ashgabat-based Theater for Young Audiences. Today, that very spot where the Theater used to be is the location of the supermodern Ashgabat Cinema.
– It feels like I have stepped back in time to return in the days of my youth. I remember the first stage play we performed in was ‘The Golden Chicken’. And today years afterwards, I will appear not on the stage but on the big screen in the building that has its unique history… Held to mark Ashgabat’s 140th anniversary, the Movie Week is a big and special occasion for us.
Svetlana CHIRTSOVA
