Dushanbe to host the first silent film festival next week

The festival will feature silent films of the classics of Tajik,  Uzbek and German cinema, art-manager Lolisanam Ulughova (Loli Sanam) told Asia-Plus in an interview.

According to her, the viewers will be able to get acquainted with the origins of Tajik and Uzbek cinema.

“It will be first festival of this kind in Tajikistan and its main purpose is to contribute to the preservation of cultural identity and popularization of Tajik cinema,” Lola said.

She further noted that she was the initiator of the festival after she had seen the silent film festival in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

“This seemed like a very good idea to me because such events make viewers look into history and take good care of their roots,” Lola said, adding that Tojkfilm (Tajik film studio) supported her idea and Goethe-Institute Uzbekistan provided financial support.   

On November 24 and 25, the films will be showcased at Vatan Movie Theater.  

Documentary “ Arrival of the First Train” (1929) and feature film “Emigrant” (1934) will be demonstrated on November 24.

“Adonis XIV” (1986), “Earthquake in Yangi-Bazar” (1930), “The Minaret of Death” (1925), “Talosh” (2018) and “When Emirs Die” (1932) will be demonstrated on November 25. 

On the final day of the festival, the feature film “The Leper Woman” (1928, Uzbekistan) and the 8-minute animated film “Huvaido” (2021) by Lolisanam Ulughova about a small Tajik girl, who was brutally killed in the Russian city of Serpukovo on July 22, 2018, will be demonstrated at the Movie Theater named after Tohir Sobirov.  

So, in conclusion, a 1926 German animated fairytale film by Lotte Reiniger “The Adventures of Prince Achmed” will be showcased.  It is the oldest surviving animated feature film. 

A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (and in particular, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when necessary, be conveyed by the use of title cards.

During the silent era that existed from the mid-1890s to the late 1920s, a pianist, theater organist—or even, in large cities, a small orchestra—would often play music to accompany the films. Pianists and organists would play either from sheet music, or improvisation.