WHAT DID INGMAR BERGMAN’S RETROSPECTIVE INDICATE?

Azerbaijan Union of Filmmakers implemented the project “Face to face with Ingmar Bergman” in November within the framework of cooperation with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in Baku.

The films that brought about discussions by the audience – “Cries and Whispers”, “The Seventh Seal”, “Persona” and “Fanny and Alexander” were screened on the big screen for the first time in Azerbaijan.

The last film, which was screened on November 22, was also welcomed with great interest. Screenings were held at “Azerbaijan” Cinema Plus every Tuesday at 19:00.

Azerbaijan Union of Filmmakers has previously cooperated with French Institute and “Visla” Polish Film Festival within the framework of projects “100 % classics: The taste of French cinema” and “Polish Cinema days”.

Director Ali Isa Jabbarov, secretary of AUF, said that we, as an organization, approach Baku screenings of European cinema classics carefully and responsibly: “These pertains to the selection of repertoire, translation of texts and legal aspects. So, all films were screened legally permitted in original language, with Azerbaijani and English subtitles. Union’s secretariat staff members, Ulviyya Ahmadova, responsible for screenings, Afag Yusifli, responsible for international relations, and Ilgar Guliyev, responsible for promotion, played a crucial role in the organizing the project at a high level. As a Union, we express our gratitude to our partner, personally Mr. Tobias Lorentzson, the ambassador of Sweden in Baku, and Mr. Sirus Rustamov, an employee of the embassy, and hope for future cooperation in the upcoming projects.

Screenings were also remembered by discussions moderated by film critics, AUF member Sevda Sultanova. The audience expressed their opinion about the films, analyzed the deep philosophical topics raised by the author.

The screenings proved once again that our audience misses serious works of art, and we can be optimistic about the distribution fate of esteemed films.

aki.az