Azernews.Az

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

TV series are among the most important parts of the cinematography worldwide since they attract vast majority of people based on a wide variety of topics.

National television series in Azerbaijan have become popular after a government body banned broadcasting of foreign TV series at local TV channels in May 2012. Though most people criticized the ban, people in film industry welcomed it as a contribution to the cinematography's development in the country.

Despite sustainable support for the film industry, there are still several shortages regarding the national TV series in Azerbaijan. Quality and ranking of the TV series are at the top concerns in the domestic film industry.

The National Television and Radio Council should consider the process of filming soap operas as a special field, Head of National Television and Radio Council Nushiravan Maharramli said.

Maharramli noted that government would not allocate any money to the shooting of television series. "The process of filming TV series takes several years. That's why the NTRC should consider it as a particular field," Maharramli noted.

He added that there is a need to establish a particular body tasked with handling the issues relating to the plot, shooting and process of creation of TV series. "The National Council lacks physical abilities to control the mentioned processes. Currently, the Culture and Tourism Ministry oversees the cinematography field in Azerbaijan," he noted.

Maharramli said the Ministry produces movies dedicated to the certain topics, to the everyday themes in particular. "Each TV channel in Azerbaijan can itself choose the plot of TV series. We cannot interrupt the process. We are empowered to give advices how to film the TV series since the ranking of movies plays an important role," he added.

One of the first national TV series "Dance of the butterflies" of 82 episodes has entered the list of the most viewed series, despite criticism about its quality.

Maharramli noted that the NTRC cannot change the content of the television series. "We just make recommendations on the topics. Shooting of the films on military-patriotism topic is more difficult as there has to be military equipment in some shots. The structures engaged in the filming of TV series bear great responsibility since the patriotism should play a leading role even in the films on daily topics."

Various television series on different topics, including family, youth, patriotism, social life and etc. have been filmed and broadcasted in the country since the domestic film industry got a strong backing by the government. Local TV channels successfully continue the trend with a number of TV series meeting the demands of different classes of society.

Azerbaijani president signed an order in 2011 to issue about $6.4 million from the President's Reserve Fund to the shooting of soap operas dedicated to the real topics in society. The president continued his support to the industry by inking another order in 2013 to provide nearly $8.2 million for the further development of the cinematography.