Three films from Uzbekistan have been shortlisted for the 7th ECG Film Festival in London, one of the leading British festivals promoting Central Asian cinema. The screenings will take place on May 26 and 27 at the Lumiere Romford Cinema (The Mercury Shopping Centre, London). This year, the festival received over 100 submissions from 23 countries, including India, Turkey, Canada, Iran, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Uzbekistan.
This year, Uzbekistan is represented by three full-length films by director Muzaffarhon Erkinov:
“Magtymguly Pyragy” is an artistic look at the fate of the great poet, with an emphasis on his years of study in Bukhara and Khiva.
“Aydillar” (co-authored with Muzaffar Karabayev) is the story of the city of Muynak, the disappearing Aral Sea, and the young man whose fate takes him away from his native shore.
“Abdulla Oripov” is a film about the life and struggle of the poet, author of the national anthem, and symbol of cultural resistance.
Anastasia Kalinovskaya, a member of the ECG Film Festival jury, about the film “Aydillar”: “The film has excellent dynamics, an interesting storyline and expressive processing of frames, which enhances the atmosphere of memories.”
The festival will also include a presentation of children’s books by Uzbek writer Gulchekhra-begim Makhmudova. Her works, filled with magic and adventure, immerse readers in an amazing world where the voice of Uzbekistan sounds. This is an important step in promoting children’s literature of Uzbekistan in the international arena.
The winners of the festival will be announced on May 27. But, in any case, films from Uzbekistan have found their way to the world audience.
ECG Film Festival press service
E-mail: festival@ocamagazine.com
