Rustam Ibrahimbekov: Those Who Organized Campaign against Me Still in Power

Baku / 08.07.19 / Turan: The Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan continues preparations for the November congress, the film school, the House of Cinema is being restored, the Museum of Baku Films is being created, a program of support for young filmmakers is being developed. Rustam Ibrahimbekov, a famous screenwriter and head of the Union of Cinematographers of the country, told Turan about this in an exclusive interview.

"In recent years, a galaxy of young filmmakers has appeared in Azerbaijan, who have shot full-length and short films, which won prizes at prestigious international festivals. Today, most of them live outside Azerbaijan, because they do not find any use for themselves here. One of the tasks of the Union of Cinematographers is to enable these people to work in their own country," said Rustam Ibrahimbekov.

"The possibility of introducing a new filmmaking model gives us hope. The state has created a special commission that is working on it. It would be great if a structure was created, giving the opportunity to receive government support for projects that include script, direction and production development. A similar system exists in neighboring Georgia, in Russia and in other countries. It gives great creative freedom to independent studios and creative associations," he continued.

To the question of whose submission the new structure will be, the screenwriter replied that most likely it will be the Ministry of Culture. "At the upcoming congress, all these issues will be comprehensively and substantively discussed. State control should not infringe on the interests of creativity. The state should determine the general policy of filmmaking, ordering patriotic, historical, and children's movies. That is, simultaneously with the creative initiative, cinematographers should carry out state tasks," Ibrahimbekov said.

To the question of whether he sees himself as the leader of such a film structure, the playwright gave a negative answer. "I have been working in the Union of Cinematographers since 1967 and I am convinced that this creative organization, which expresses the public cinematographic opinion, can significantly influence the state of affairs in the national cinema in a constructive dialogue with state structures. In general, I am a consistent supporter of increasing social influence on the life of the country. For this purpose, several years ago, the Forum of the Intelligentsia of the country was created, bringing together cultural and scientific workers. We discussed the problems that the authorities themselves are discussing today. Unfortunately, then our initiative caused a negative reaction from some people who are still occupying serious positions in state bodies," Ibrahimbekov said.

To the question whether the situation has changed now, Ibrahimbekov answered that he will be able to give an answer to this question with time. "Steps are being taken that cannot please me. Whether the future takes on a systemic character will be shown by the future," the playwright answered.

He called the existence of two film unions in Azerbaijan excessive, given the size of the country and the volume of film production. "The Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan was created in 1958 by outstanding figures of our cinema. The second structure was artificially created several years ago."

At the same time he replied that he did not intend to sort things out with someone. "We see our task in protecting the interests of cinema and specific talented filmmakers of all ages. But young people need special attention, and they should feel that their homeland is interested in their support and success. We will also involve them in the work at Cinema School, which will prepare directors and screenwriters of fiction, documentary and animated films, as well as actors. I hope enough strength to realize our plans. But without state support it is impossible. I repeat, we feel it, and I hope that people who have recently organized a wide propaganda campaign in the media against me will not prevent this," Rustam Ibrahimbekov said in conclusion.

* In an interview to "Pravda.ru" in 2008 Rustam Ibrahimbekov noted: "A principal mechanism vitally important for the nation to survive has been detuned in Azerbaijan. Every nation is existent at the expense of its elite. Today no elite is existent, and the most important thing is that a mechanism of its formation is detuned. Formation of the national elite is very complex and prolonged. Its remnants are thrown back on the margins of life. A country with no national elite has no future. Not the brightest stars are at the height of power; at work are family, monetary, regional and corruption considerations". This statement was harshly criticized at the Milli Majlis meeting; however, workers of art and culture spoke in support of Rustam Ibrahimbekov.

On July 7, 2010 Rustam Ibrahimbekov appealed to the authorities on behalf of the Azerbaijani intelligentsia and called them to release journalist Eynulla Fatullayev and bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizadeh and thus put an end to political persecutions for dissidence. Some of those having been advocated by Ibrahimbekov made a poor return for his support.

On January 25, 2012 Rustam Ibrahimbekov declined from the French Order of Arts and Literature and resigned from the post of the president of Society of cultural ties "Azerbaijan-France" due to the adoption by the Senate of France a law on criminal responsibility for negation of "Armenian genocide".

On January 18, 2013 the Ministry of Taxes of Azerbaijan brought an indictment against an employee of the R. Ibrahimbekov-led Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan, Lala Efendiyeva on non-payment of taxes - this is one of the methods of reprisals against the opposition in Azerbaijan. Note that the Union of Cinematographers regularly hosted cinema festivals in Baku. Officers of the Ministry of Taxes withdrew financial documentation of the Union of Cinematographers. In an interview to the "Voice of America" Ibrahimbekov declared that a reason of the tax audit and withdrawal of financial documents came from his participation in the Presidential elections.

In February 2013, Rustam Ibrahimbekov harshly criticized a campaign against writer Akram Aylisli. "Today"s reprisal over a living classic of the Azerbaijani literature Akram Aylisli in our Motherland outrages by its sophisticated cruelty. In the 21 century, in a country that built East"s first democratic state, the writer is subjected to public flogging typical for medieval inquisition. I know the worth of words and use a word "flogging" deliberately. It is commonly known that high ranking officials are regularly committing heinous crimes against their native people; the current authorities have done nothing to resolve the Karabakh conflict; soldiers and their families that suffered from the years-long war cannot receive even the least part they deserve...In the meanwhile, the whole might of state punitive machinery hit the old writer on the calculation that human heart potential is not endless", Moscow "Kavkazskiy uzel" periodical recites stages of R.Ibrahimbekov" life.

In the same year, he was nominated as a candidate for the presidential elections in Azerbaijan, but could not take part because of his dual citizenship.

In 2015, he shot the film Caucasian Trio, which caused another wave of blackening of the playwright, accused by officials and the pro-government press of betrayal and pro-Armenian position.

Despite his heavy workload, Rustam Ibrahimbekov remains to be industrious leader of Azerbaijani and world culture unsurrendered under political pressures. He saved his blushes and honorably discharges his duty to society. He saved his "Name" as a symbol of high professionalism, creative and political and principality. . -02И-