In 2013, the film "Steppe man" was included in the long list of "Oscar", the world's main cinema award in the nomination "The Best Film in Foreign Language".
This film is a fairy tale of life story about the love of the Great and Young Shepherd who has chosen a place for himself in the desert. After the death of Ulun, a short-haired girl comes out. She lives in the tale of steppe man and change his life...
Shamil Aliyev, director of the film "Steppe man" commented on Eurasia Diary's questions on the film.
- How did you decide to make the steppe man film?
-The film was shot by order of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The budget of the film is about 1 million 100 thousand manat. The film was produced in 2011 and in 2012 we finished filming.
When I was offered the scenario of the movie, I thought what blow up in the film. I felt that here I would tend to show that globalization is one of the factors. As you know a film may differ from a scenario. Something similar happened here.
The stories in the film could be developed in several directions. This was Vidadi Hasanov's first scenario. Decased Vagif İbragimoghlu also helped Vidadi for writing this scenario. On the eve of the film Vagif İbragimoghlu died. Vidadi Hasanov regarded him as his master. I should be noted that Vidadi Hasanov wrote this scenario in the trainings of Hollywood experts. The authors of scenario at the international level, and world-renowned cinematographers were guidance of Vidadi. That's why the scenario was so weighty.
Nevertheless, I made some changes in the scenario. I've been trying to fix the globallisation in the scenario as a factor and problem that can stand in front of humanity. In the film focus on nuances which need to be a captive of globalization, or to resist globalization. Globalization can often deprive us of our cultural freedom, our roots. My intention was to show them to the audience through the story of ordinary love.
So, I took the scenario of "Steppe man" and we worked with Rafig Guliyev, who our operator on film. Vidadi played the role of Ulu steppe man. Bahruz Vaqifoglu played the image of a young steppe man. But the short haired girl played the role of Georgian actress Salome Demuria. She also successfully performed at the "Steppe man" and created a unique image. Let me note that this film was a very successful fate. The film has toured five continents - the place where people live and they are shown.
-Steppe man film was included in the list of Oskara candidates. Why was this achievement of Azerbaijani film not well promoted in society?
As you know, this year celebration the 120th anniversary of our cinema and I say that it was not easy for Oscar to go on. We ought to admit that we do not have lobbyists in the film sector. No Hollywood expert has written an article about any Azerbaijani film. In Hollywood, cinematographer Wicks writes for "Steppe man": (Great Direction).
You can imagine that in the presentation of the Golden Fox award, which participated India and countries where film sector developed The Azerbaijani film was awarded the head prize. This film won 14 awards at the 37 international film festivals. These are 7 head prize, 3 awards for the director, the best actress, the best scenario, and the 3 is the jury's special prize.
-Have you ever been given an international prize before “Steppe man”?
I have a documentary about "Azerbaijani Carpet" and called "Iz Gala" which tells about Qala village. My documentary films received awards from America to Korea. Almost, all my films participated in international festivals and received awards. The most prize was won by the film “steppe man”.
-Which movie genre do you consider closer to yourself?
We can give an example my documentary film "Azerbaijani carpet". At that time Baku was declared the capital of Islamic culture. At the opening ceremony this film should be filmed. Representatives from around 100 world countries, including the heads of state, came to Azerbaijan. The documentary film "Azerbaijani carpet" was filmed by the support of the first lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva. She really liked the film. The "Azerbaijani carpet" was the first to bring Azerbaijan to the Cannes festival. This was our first step in the Short Film Corner section at the Cannes Film Festival. I am interested in the history of Azerbaijani culture, anthropology of Azerbaijani morality in world history and culture. They exist in "Steppe man".
I am working in the context of artistic films.
