Films from Iran, Uzbekistan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan will be screened in Dushanbe from October 15 to 20 as part of the third Toji Somon National Film Festival. The program includes feature films and documentaries, according to Tajikfilm.
The festival will feature separate cinema days dedicated to each country, offering audiences an opportunity to discover their contemporary filmmaking.
Iranian films open the program
Iran Cinema Days will open on October 15 at 5 p.m. at Kokhi Navruz. Three Iranian films are scheduled for screening:
- The Player — October 15, 10 a.m.–noon, Navruz Cinema;
- In the Arms of a Tree — October 15, 5–8:30 p.m., Navruz Cinema;
- In the Skies of Iran — October 16, 9–11 a.m., Navruz Cinema.
The documentary In the Skies of Iran, directed and produced by Majid Karimi, explores Iranian culture, interfaith coexistence, unity and national identity. It also examines the role of light in Iranian architecture.
Majid Montazarzuhuri served as the film’s researcher and academic consultant. The project took approximately six years to complete, with filming conducted across 18 Iranian provinces.
Tajikfilm has not provided further details about the other two Iranian films.
Uzbekistan presents three films
Uzbekistan Cinema Days will take place on October 16 and 17, with screenings at Kayhon Cinema (Auchan).
The program includes:
- The Uzbek Lion: Kazbek — October 16, 10 a.m.–noon;
- Farz — October 16, 3–5:30 p.m.;
- In the Skies: The Only Victim of the Flight — October 17, 10 a.m.–noon.
The Uzbek Lion: Kazbek, a joint production by the Uzbekfilm and Belarusfilm studios, tells the story of Mamadali Topvaldiyev, a Hero of the Soviet Union who fought Nazi occupiers in Belarus during World War II. The film was directed by Akbar Bekturdiyev.
Four Russian films on the program
Russia Cinema Days will officially open on October 17 at 5 p.m. at Vatan Cinema. Four feature films are scheduled:
- Aviator — October 17, 10 a.m.–noon;
- Father — October 18, 10 a.m.–noon;
- Buratino — October 18, 2–4 p.m.;
- Two in One Life, Not Counting the Dog — October 18, 6–8 p.m.
All four screenings will take place at Vatan Cinema.
Kyrgyz cinema closes the series
Kyrgyzstan Cinema Days will open in Dushanbe on the evening of October 18. According to the organizers, the event will bring together directors, producers, actors and cultural figures from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Three contemporary Kyrgyz films will be screened:
- The Order, directed by Doston Madalbekov — October 19, 10 a.m.–noon, Kayhon Cinema (Auchan);
- There Are Two of Us (Ekoobuz), directed by Dinmukhammad Orozbekov — October 19, 2–4 p.m., Kayhon Cinema (Auchan);
- The Captive (Tutkun), directed by Temir Birnazarov — October 19, 7–9:30 p.m., Navruz Cinema.
Tajikfilm said the event would give audiences an opportunity to explore contemporary cinema from the four participating countries.
Asia-Plus has so far been unable to obtain the full program of the Toji Somon National Film Festival.
The festival is being held in Dushanbe for the third consecutive year. Last year’s edition also ran from October 15 to 20, marking Tajik Cinema Day.