Navruz Uzbek Films Show in Notting Hill

On 23 March 2009, Navruz Uzbek Films Show took place at London’s famous «Electric» Cinema on Portobello Street. The event was organized jointly by the Embassy, British-Uzbek Society and Anglo Kino Films with support by Oxus Gold and Worley Parsons.

Among the guests of the evening there were Councillor Shireen Ritchie – Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Mr. Nicholas Chance – Private Secretary to HRH Prince Michael of Kent, representatives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Parliament, 10 embassies, number of companies and banks, as well as the media. However, the interest to the Uzbek films was so great that the cinema (which has only 103 seats), unfortunately, was not capable to accommodate all those who wished to come.  

Ambassador Akbarov in his welcoming speech attracted guests’ attention to the fact that the history of the Uzbek cinematograph has begun more than 100 years ago when Mr. Hudoybergan Devanov produced his first silent film in Khorezm province of Uzbekistan. Since that time our cinematograph passed through different periods of its development, but only when Uzbekistan obtained its State Independence in 1991, this art became esthetically and culturally independent.    

The Government of Uzbekistan, recognizing key importance of spiritual development of the people, allocates considerable budget resources for production of feature, documentary and animation films every year. Masters of the new Uzbek cinematographic art created bright films which tell about history, culture, achievements and contemporary life of the Uzbek people. Number of them was awarded at prestigious international film festivals.   

On the occasion of celebration of 2200th Anniversary of the capital of Uzbekistan, the guests were shown the documentary film «Tashkent – Capital of Islamic Culture» (director - Hodjimurod Valiev, 2007). The film tells about Tashkent’s importance and place in development of Islamic civilization, as well as invaluable contribution of such great ancestors of the Uzbeks as Imam al-Bukhari, Bahouddin Naqshbandi, Abu Mansur Moturidi, into development of Muslim philosophy.

During the Independence years many ancient monuments were restored, modern buildings and architectural ensembles were built – now they are helping to spread age-old ideas of peace, solidarity and tolerance. As one of the spectacular examples of world recognition of rich heritage of Uzbekistan and efforts on its conservation can be considered the fact of announcement of Tashkent as Capital of Islamic Culture in 2007 by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).

Then, there was shown the feature film «Road Under the Sky» (director – Kamara Kamalova, 2005), which was awarded the State Prize of Uzbekistan (2007) and also received the prize for best direction at the III International Film Festival «Eurasia» in Almaty (2006). The movie’s action, which narrates a story about first love and tests experienced by fragile feelings of the heroes, takes place against a background of folk songs and melodies, colorful national costumes, as well as rare old traditions preserved in some remote areas of the country.  The film represents modern Uzbek intellectual cinematograph that combines delicate and allegorical style of narration, which invites the audience to compose its own understanding and way of reaching the deep sense laid by the authors.

The Uzbek films evoked a vivid interest from the audience. The documentary was particularly warmly perceived by those who are interested in history and culture of the region. Other guests discovered the unique manifestations of Islamic civilization in town-planning, classical literature and fine arts in Uzbekistan. Our country, in spite of the difficulties of transitional period, made great efforts, including allocation of funds for restoration and preservation of historical relics, many of which, particularly Osman’s Koran shown in the film, represent pride and heritage of the entire Islamic world. This year a number of events to celebrate the anniversary of Tashkent will be organized in Uzbekistan.

An indicator of impression made by the film «Road Under the Sky» on the audience became the fact that after its end full silence prevailed for some time in the cinema hall and then applause sounded. Many guests were touched by artistic style of the film and skillfully used allegorical approach.

It was noted in the article published in the British-Uzbek Society’s Newsletter that this beautiful movie with symbolic ideas demonstrates contemporary Uzbek cinematograph which is capable to create such novel-films with masterly photography and thought provoking material.

During discussion, the audience exchanged their interpretation of the film’s story, asked about meaning of some episodes. The film did not leave anyone indifferent, including those who had expected to watch an Uzbek commercial film, like action or melodrama movies, intended for the mass audience.

In the break between the films, a drawing of two free roundtrip tickets London-Tashkent-Samarkand, provided by Uzbekistan Airways, was organized among the guests. The chairman of the British-Uzbek Society Dr. Hartley Booth and director of Anglo Kino Films Mr. Patrick Newman drew out an application from the basket and announced the winners – Mrs. Nakako Watanabe and her husband Mr. Masaru Honma.

Along with this, guests were offered traditional Navruz delicacies – sumalak, patir nan, dried fruits, sweets and green tea. Musical accompaniment was performed by Uzbek and British students who played on Uzbek national instruments (rubob, doyra, dutor and noy).

  London, 25 March, 2009