View source for Cinema of Azerbaijan

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Infobox cinema market
| name                 = Cinema of Azerbaijan
| image                = Azerbaijan_film_clapperboard.svg
| image_size           =
| alt                  =
| caption              =
| screens              = 17 (2011)<ref name=screens_uis>{{cite web|title=Table 8: Cinema Infrastructure - Capacity|url=http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=5542|publisher=UNESCO Institute for Statistics|access-date=5 November 2013|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224225516/http://data.uis.unesco.org/?ReportId=5542|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| screens_per_capita   = 0.2 per 100,000 (2011)<ref name=screens_uis/>
| distributors         = <!-- {{br separated entries|entry1|entry2|entry3}} <ref name=distributors_uis>{{cite web|title=Table 6: Share of Top 3 distributors (Excel)|url=http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/ReportFolders/reportFolders.aspx|publisher=UNESCO Institute for Statistics|access-date=5 November 2013}}</ref> -->
| produced_year        = 2010
| produced_ref         = <ref name=production_uis>{{cite web|title=Table 1: Feature Film Production - Genre/Method of Shooting|url=http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=5545|publisher=UNESCO Institute for Statistics|access-date=5 November 2013|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224225519/http://data.uis.unesco.org/?ReportId=5545|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| produced_total       =
| produced_fictional   = 9 (45.0%)
| produced_animated    = 2 (10.0%)
| produced_documentary = 9 (45.0%)
| admissions_year      = 2011
| admissions_ref       = <ref name=adm_gross_uis>{{cite web|title=Table 11: Exhibition - Admissions & Gross Box Office (GBO)|url=http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=5538|publisher=UNESCO Institute for Statistics|access-date=5 November 2013|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053209/http://data.uis.unesco.org/?ReportId=5538|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| admissions_total     = 77,000
| admissions_national  = 6,600 (8.6%)
| box_office_year      = 2011
| box_office_ref       = <ref name=adm_gross_uis/>
| box_office_total     = [[Azerbaijani manat|AZN]] 364,800
| box_office_national  = AZN 6,000 (1.6%)
}}
{{Azerbaijanis}}

'''Cinema of Azerbaijan''' dates back to the 19th century. Azerbaijan is one of the first countries in the world involved in [[cinematography]].<ref name="cinemainazerbaijan" /> The first Azerbaijani film was a thirty second long silent film called [[The Oil Gush Fire in Bibiheybat]], which was recorded using the [[cinematograph]].

== Early history ==
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2021}}
The film industry in [[Azerbaijan]] dates back to 1898. When the [[Lumière brothers]] of France premiered their first motion picture footage in Paris on December 28, 1895, they did not know how rapidly it would ignite a new age of photographic documentation. The brothers invented an apparatus, patented in February 1895, which they called the "[[Cinématographe]]" (from which the word "cinematography" is derived).<ref name="cinemainazerbaijan">[http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/53_folder/53_articles/53_100years.html Celebrating 100 Years in Film, not 80] by Aydin Kazimzade. Azerbaijan International, Autumn 1997.</ref>

A Frenchman by the name of [[Alexandre Michon]] was among the first entrepreneurs who came and settled in Baku. A photographer and cameraman by profession, he is believed to have lived in [[Baku]] for more than 25 years where he set up a photo studio. Michon became active in forming a scientific photo circle in [[Baku]] and became its secretary. From 1879 to 1905, he documented landscapes, episodes from oil extraction, the refining process, as well as the [[oil gusher]]s and terrifying fires that broke out in the oil fields. In 1898, Michon began shooting motion pictures that depicted everyday life in Baku. It was his intention to exhibit them in Paris.

[[Alexandre Michon|Michon]]'s footages still exist up to date in the archives of the Union of Cinematographers of [[Azerbaijan]]. [[The Folk Dance of Caucasus]] was later used in a documentary, and the scenes from [[The Oil Gush Fire in Bibiheybat]] were shown in France in 1995, in a film commemorating the 100th anniversary of world cinema.

The Newspaper Announcement about Michon's films:

''"On Sunday, August 2, 1898, A. Michon, will show some motion pictures that he has taken with a Lumière movie camera and which has been improved by the engineer Jules Carpentier. These films of the Caucasus and Central Asia have been prepared for the forthcoming International Paris Exhibition and will be presented only once in Baku at the V. I. Vasilyev-Vyatski Circus Theater.''

''"The following films will be shown: Fire resulting from an oil gusher at Bibi-Heybat oil field, [[Farewell Ceremony for His Majesty Emir of Bukhara on "Velikiy Kniaz Alexei" Steamboat]], a folk dance of the Caucasus, and scenes from the comedy, 'So, You Got Caught,' which was performed recently in one of Baku's parks. For more detailed information, see the posters. The event starts at 21:00 (9 p.m.)."''

The event was an enormous success and Michon repeated it on August 5, replacing the final two works with those showing life in Balakhani outside of Baku.

Michon's footage still exists. "Folk Dance of the Caucasus" was later used in a documentary and scenes from "Oil Gush Fire in Bibi-Heybat" were shown in France in 1995, in a film commemorating the 100th anniversary of world cinema. On November 27, 1899 writer, scientist and social activist Hasan Zardabi in the "Kaspi" entitled an article in which he wrote, ''"Now we have in our hands a toy machine-called "kinemato-graphe". This wonderful machine was produced only a short time ago and gives the impression of being just a toy. You can find this machine which is called 'stroboscope' in many optician shops."''

== Early 20th century ==
In 1915 the [[Pirone brothers]] of [[Belgium]] set up a film production laboratory in [[Baku]]. They invited film director [[Boris Svetlov]] from [[St. Petersburg]] ([[Russia]]) to work for them and produce ''The Woman'', ''An Hour before His Death'' and ''An Old Story in a New Manner''. It was Svetlov who also directed the film entitled ''[[In the Kingdom of Oil and Millions]]'' which later became so well known.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} The famous Azerbaijani actor [[Huseyn Arablinski]] played Lutfali, the main role in this film.<ref name="cinemainazerbaijan"/>

In 1916 The first version of the operetta ''"[[Arshin Mal Alan (operetta)|Arshin Mal Alan]]"'' was directed by Svetlov. During this era of "silent" film the musical selections were performed by in-house musicians. Two of the women's roles in the film were played by men. Gulchohra was played by [[Ahmad Aghdamski]] and Aunt Jahan was played by Y. Narimanov.

In 1919, during the short-lived [[Azerbaijan Democratic Republic]], a documentary called [[The Celebration of the Anniversary of Azerbaijani Independence]] was filmed on Azerbaijan's independence day, May 28, and premiered in June 1919 at several theatres in [[Baku]].<ref>{{cite web| title =Azerbaijani cinema in 1920-1935: Silent films | publisher = OCAZ.eu| url = http://www.ocaz.eu/cinema-theatre.html}}</ref>

== Soviet period ==
[[File:Maiden Tower Legend film.jpg|thumb|left|200px|First Azerbaijani Soviet film ''Legend of the Maiden Tower'' (1924)]]
After the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] power was established in 1920, [[Nariman Narimanov]], Chairman of the [[Revolutionary Committee of Azerbaijan]], signed a decree nationalizing Azerbaijan's cinema. The [[People's Education Commissariat]], which functioned somewhat like a Ministry, created an art department which included a film section headed by [[Hanafi Teregulov]] and [[Muslim Magomayev (composer)|Muslim Magomayev]], a notable composer and opera singer. In 1922 the government of Azerbaijan decided to create the first cinema factory which became the forerunner of today's film studio ''[[Azerbaijanfilm]]''.<ref name="cinemainazerbaijan"/>

In 1923 the [[Azerbaijan Photo Film Institution]] (APFI) was established by a special decree of the Council of People's Commissars. The Institution controlled all the movie houses and distribution bureaus. Thus, a new epoch in the history of Azerbaijani cinema began – a period when Soviet ideology, not individual entrepreneurship, dominated the film industry.

APFI shot its first film ''[[Legend of the Maiden Tower]]'' in 1924.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} This film was the first Azerbaijani Soviet and was based on the legend about the [[Maiden Tower (Baku)|Maiden Tower]].

In the 1930s, Russian director [[Boris Barnet]] filmed ''[[By the Bluest of Seas]]'' in Azerbaijan. The film, which is set on one of the country's islands in the Caspian Sea, has received renown from modern film critics.<ref name="Digital Fix">{{cite web|url=http://homecinema.thedigitalfix.com/content/id/75071/by-the-bluest-of-seas.html|author=Anthony Nield|title=By the Bluest of Seas|work=The Digital Fix|date=February 6, 2012|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610061827/http://homecinema.thedigitalfix.com/content/id/75071/by-the-bluest-of-seas.html|archive-date=June 10, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Rosenbaum">{{cite web|url=https://www.jonathanrosenbaum.net/2004/02/glimspe-of-a-rare-bird/ |author=Jonathan Rosenbaum |author-link=Jonathan Rosenbaum |title=Glimpse of a Rare Bird [on Boris Barnet] (upgraded) |work=Jonathanrosenbaum.net |date=February 6, 2004 |access-date=August 10, 2015 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815081641/http://www.jonathanrosenbaum.net/2004/02/glimspe-of-a-rare-bird/ |archive-date=August 15, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="NFSA">{{cite web|url=http://www.nfsa.gov.au/calendar/?type=boris-barnet|title=Boris Barnet|work=[[National Film and Sound Archive]]|access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Cine-Vue">{{cite web|url=http://www.cine-vue.com/2012/11/dvd-review-barnets-outskirts-bluest-of.html|author=Ben Nicholson|title=DVD Review: Barnet's 'Outskirts' & 'Bluest of Seas'|work=Cine-vue.com|access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Ozus">{{cite web|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~ozus/bythebluestofseas.html|author=Dennis Schwartz|title=BY THE BLUEST OF SEAS (U SAMOGO SINEGO MORYA)|work=Ozus' World Movie Reviews|date=January 21, 2015|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211153524/http://homepages.sover.net/~ozus/bythebluestofseas.html|archive-date=December 11, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Film Comment">{{cite journal|last1=Friel|first1=Patrick|title=Home Movies: By the Bluest of Seas|journal=Film Comment|issue=January/February 2013|url=http://www.filmcomment.com/article/by-the-bluest-of-seas-boris-barnet-dvd-review/|access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|people=Prof. Nicole Brenez|date=November 19, 2008|title=Nicole Brenez on By the Bluest of Seas|medium=video|language=fr|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7ghMxw548w |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/T7ghMxw548w |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=August 17, 2015|time=0:30|publisher=Also Like Life}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== Post-independence cinema ==
In 1991, after Azerbaijan gained its independence from the [[Soviet Union]], first [[Baku International Film Festival]] ''East-West'' was held in Baku. In December 2000, the former [[President of Azerbaijan]], [[Heydar Aliyev]], signed a decree proclaiming August 2 professional holiday of filmmakers of Azerbaijan.<ref>{{in lang|ru}} [http://www.kinoconfederacia.ru/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=46&Itemid=60 Azerbaijan Cinematographers Union] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927094256/http://www.kinoconfederacia.ru/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=46&Itemid=60 |date=2007-09-27 }} Confederation of Cinematographers Unions</ref>

Now that the [[USSR]] does not exist anymore, Azerbaijani filmmakers are again dealing with issues similar to those faced by cinematographers prior to the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1920. Once again, both choice of content and sponsorship of films are largely left up to the initiative of the filmmaker.

In 1995, the director [[Rustam Ibrahimbeyov]] won an Academy Award for [[Burnt by the Sun]] as Best Foreign Film. This moment is described as one of the proudest event in Azerbaijan cinema history.<ref>[http://www.eurochannel.com/en/Azerbaijani-cinema.html Presentation of the Azerbaijan cinema on Eurochannel website]</ref>

==Notable films==
===Classics===
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Babek (film)|Babek]]
*[[Bakhtiar (film)|Bakhtiyar]]
*[[Birthday (1977 film)|Birthday]]
*[[:az:Bir cənub şəhərində|In a Southern Town]]
*[[:az:Interrogation (1980 film)|Interrogation]]
*[[Last night of childhood|Last Night of Childhood]]
*[[My Seven Sons]]
*[[On Distant Shores]]
*[[:az:Bizim Cəbiş müəllim|Our Teacher Jabish]]
*[[:az:Şərikli çörək|Shared Bread]]
*[[:az:Tütək səsi (film)|Sound of the Flute]]
*[[The Cloth Peddler (1945 film)|The Cloth Peddler]]
*[[The Darvish Detonates Paris]]
*[[The Day Passed]]
*[[:az:Bəyin oğurlanması|The Kidnapping of Groom]]
*[[:az:Axırıncı aşırım|The Last Mountain Pass]]
*[[The Magic Gown]]
*[[:az:Park (film, 1983)|Park]]
*[[:az:Yol əhvalatı|The Road Story]]
*[[The Scoundrel (1988 film)|The Scoundrel]]
*[[:az:Bir qalanın sirri|The Secret of the Fortress]]
*[[:az:Arxadan vurulan zərbə (film, 1977)|The Stab in the Back]]
*[[The Stepmother (1958 film)|The Stepmother]]
*[[:az:Dəli Kür (film)|The Tempestuous Kura]]
*[[:az:Ulduz (film, 1964)|Ulduz]]
*[[The Window of the Sadness]]
*[[:az:Əhməd haradadır?|Where is Ahmad?]]
*[[:az:Alma almaya bənzər|Wonderful apples]]
{{Div col end}}

===Modern era films===
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Buta (film)|Buta]]
*[[:az:Yuxu (film, 2001)|Dream]]
*[[:az:Dolu (film, 2012)|Hail]]
*[[Nabat]]
*[[:az:Məhəllə (film)|Neighbourhood]]
*[[Pomegranate Orchard]]
*[[Steppe Man]]
*[[Tahmina (film)|Tahmina]]
*[[:az:Yarasa (film, 1995)|The Bat]]
*[[:az:Bəxt üzüyü|The Engagement Ring]]
*[[The Precinct (film)|The Precinct]]
*[[:az:Fəryad (film, 1993)|The Scream]]
{{Div col end}}

===Cult films===
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Nesimi (film)|Nasimi]]
*[[:az:O olmasın, bu olsun (film)|If Not That One, Then This One]]
{{Div col end}}

===Indie films===
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[In Between Dying]]
*[[:az:Zəhər tuluğu|Poison Bottle]]
{{Div col end}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Azerbaijani film 1898 Bibi Eybat.jpg|''[[The Oil Gush Fire in Bibiheybat]]'', directed by [[Alexandre Michon]]
Image:The first film studio in Baku.jpg|The first film studio in Baku established in the 1920s. The location of the studio was behind the Government Building in Baku. The building no longer exists.
Image:Izzet Orujova in Sevil.jpg|''Sevil'' in 1932
Image:The game of love.jpg|''Game of Love'' in 1935
Image:Fatali khan.jpg|''Fatali Khan'' in 1947
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Cinema of the world]]
* [[Lists of Azerbaijani films]]
* [[Azerbaijanfilm]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Bibliography==
* Michael G. Smith, "Cinema for the Soviet East: National Fact and Revolutionary Fiction in Early Azerbaijani Film", Slavic Review Vol. 56 No. 4 (Winter 1997), pp.&nbsp;645–678.

==External links==
{{commons category|Cinema of Azerbaijan}}
* [http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/53_folder/53_articles/53_index.html "Cinema: Can it be Revived?"] Entire issue of Azerbaijan International, Autumn 1997 (AI 5.3).

{{Cinema of Azerbaijan}}
{{Azerbaijan topics}}
{{World cinema}}
{{Asia topic|Cinema of}}
{{Europe topic|Cinema of}}

[[Category:Cinema of Azerbaijan| ]]