Baku to host cinematography exhibition
By Laman Ismayilova
Azerbaijan State Film Fund will host an exhibition of retro film techniques entitled "Echoes of the Past" on October 9.
The exhibition will feature camera equipment, recording and lighting devices of the twentieth century, stored in the production studios of the film studio and museum exposition of the fund.
Notably, the exhibition is held for the first time in the history of domestic cinema.
Over 100 exhibits have been restored and are suitable for use. The exhibition will create the atmosphere of a film set of the 1960-1970s. Guests will be greeted by the voices of outstanding masters of Azerbaijani cinema who passed away.
Everyone who wants discover the history of cinematography can take part in the event.
Azerbaijani cinematography, rich with eminent events and played important role in cultural-moral life of Azerbaijani people, has passed for over a century the specific way of development.
When the Lumière brothers of France premiered their first motion picture footage in 1895, little did they know how rapidly it would ignite a new age of photographic documentation. The brothers invented an apparatus "Cinématographe", patented in February 1895. This apparatus soon showed up in Baku at the turn of the 19th century, when the developing oil industry attracted foreigners eager to invest and to work.
The first short, silent film of Azerbaijani cinematography “You are caught” was shown in Baku on August 2, 1898.
So, the audience witnessed the birth of Azerbaijani cinematography. To honor this historical day, August 2 was declared as professional holiday of cinema workers – Day of Azerbaijani Cinema.
Azerbaijan’s first feature film “The Reign of Oil and Millions” was produced in 1915. The film is based on M. Musabayov’s novel of the same name.
A year later Svetlov directed the first musical comedy “Arshin mal alan” by Uzeir Hajibayli. It was a silent movie and the musical parts were performed by indoor musicians and female roles were played by men.
In 1922 the government of Azerbaijan decided to create the first cinema factory which became the forerunner of today's film studio Azerbaijanfilm.
A State program on developing Azerbaijani cinema for the years 2008-2018 is currently aiding in the expansion of modern national cinema.
Azerbaijani cinema enjoys huge recognition at international film festivals, which frequently award the national films.
This year, Azerbaijan celebrates the 120th anniversary of national cinematography.
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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova
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