The Family's Return to Its Wounded Homeland: "Return" Talks About the Journey

The presentation of Elmaddin Aliyev's feature-length documentary Return was held at the Nizami Cinema Center. The film tells the story of a family of beekeepers who return to their homeland after the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The family members, after being away for a long time, return to their homes and lands, trying to trace the remnants of the past. The film shows the family's return to their lands, traditions, and the life they begin to rebuild in their homes after the war. The director illustrates the return of a family to their home after the war through his own family’s experience. One of the notable details in the film is that the main protagonist is the director’s father. Throughout the film, as the audience watches the dialogues and family conversations between the father and son, they are also taken on a journey through the family’s past. The process of making the film lasted for three years.

Preparing for the Return

Initially, the film provides insight into Aftandil Aliyev's feelings about returning and the overall process. The protagonist struggles to make a definitive decision about returning. The main reason for this uncertainty is his inability to see everything in its former state, and his hesitance to face the changed forms of the houses and streets that were once familiar. Eventually, the decision to return is made. The family decides to go back to Lachin to rebuild their lives in their own home and continue their lives there.

However, this transformation does not come easily for them, both physically and mentally. Physically, they must go with someone familiar with the area to transport their beekeeping business from there, and carry everything they’ve built here to there. The emotional tension and anxiety during this process are also effectively conveyed to the audience.

The family prepares for the move to Lachin and sets off. Aftandil Aliyev, who is visiting his homeland for the first time, cannot hide his tears and excitement. Special moments like washing his face with spring water, resting under a tree after setting up his beekeeping operation, reflect the comfort and peace that come with being in a place where one feels they belong. In Lachin, most of the elderly people they knew are no longer alive, former neighbors' houses are empty, and the place has changed due to the passage of time and influences. These changes evoke a feeling of sadness in Aftandil Aliyev. Another protagonist, who left the area in his youth and returned in middle age, also shares the discomfort of these feelings.

Both the Director and the Protagonist

One of the most striking aspects of the film is the director’s involvement in it. Elmaddin Aliyev helps his father with the transportation of the beekeeping operation and other tasks. The audience witnesses their father-son relationship throughout the film.

"I would love for you to take over this operation," this sentence shows not only the father’s wish to return to Lachin but also his hope that his son will continue his work. Their family conversations are shared while they have meals together. During one breakfast, they talk about honey:

"Is there any special difference between the honey you made in Lachin and this one?"
"You know, in Lachin, the flowers and plants were abundant and fragrant. Of course, there is a difference."

Familiar Feelings

The natural dialogues and the authenticity of the events add a special sincerity to the documentary. Thanks to these unique details, the audience embarks on a journey into the family’s world, becoming part of the film. In documentary filmmaking, it is difficult for directors to work on their own stories and be a protagonist in their films, but Elmaddin Aliyev has successfully navigated this challenge. The natural sounds in the film, the process of making honey, and the nature shots are among the elements that make it successful. The music in the film was composed by Kenan Rustamli.

The only concern for the audience regarding the film was the sound, as the imbalance of the sound throughout the film disturbed some viewers. Overall, the audience left the cinema with a pleasant and sincere impression.

Return is also a symbol of the deep connection to the homeland, roots, and the value of the land. The film, produced by Karvan Production LLC, was directed by Elmaddin Aliyev, with Emil Nəcəfov and Elmaddin Aliyev as producers.