Mirziyoyev called "Uzbekfilm" the guardian of the history of national cinema

Mirziyoyev Calls "Uzbekfilm" the Keeper of the History of National Cinema

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev is holding a meeting with representatives of the cinematographic community at the "Uzbekfilm" film studio.

The head of state stressed that the history of national cinema, the work of many generations of creative people, as well as the dreams, aspirations, and unfulfilled hopes of our people reflected on the screen, are concentrated within these walls.

The characters of such films as "Mischief Maker" (Shum-shum v makhalle), "Bygone Days", "The Mischievous Boy", "Duel Under the Sycamore", and "SuYunchi" have forever remained in our memory as close and beloved people. Individual episodes, phrases, or familiar melodies from these movies evoke memories of childhood, our grandparents, and our native makhalla in our imagination.

The President highly appreciated the fact that domestic filmmakers were able to create such works of national art despite the severe political and ideological pressure to which they were subjected in their time.

The traditions established by the "Uzbekfilm" studio continued during the years of independence. Films loved by audience were shot, including "Abdullajon", "Fields Left by the Father", "Dilkhiroj", "Homeland", and "Otov".

The head of state recalled the condition of the "Uzbekfilm" film studio ten years ago. He noted that from the very first days of the reforms, special attention was paid to restoring the studio and creating decent conditions for creative workers.

This facility, which is important for national cinema, has been completely reconstructed. Over the past ten years, two decrees and eight resolutions have been adopted in order to support the industry.

While in 2016, 10 billion soums were allocated from the state budget for film production, in the current year alone this amount reached 218 billion soums.

The head of state noted that as a result, the number of national films has grown and their quality has improved, and dozens of private film studios have entered the industry.

The President focused on historical films created in the new era. Among them are "Islamkhodja", "Ibrat", "Avloni", "Abdulla Qadiri", "The Wind of Kokand", "Muqimi", "Ilhak", "Uzbek Girl", and "Bahadir Yalangtush".

A new generation of national personnel has formed in the country. The head of state noted that filmmakers have made a worthy contribution to this process.

For the first time in the history of the "Golden Globe" International Film Award, the awards ceremony for filmmakers of Central Asia and the Caucasus was held in Tashkent. Actress Gulchekhra Jamilova, participating in the meeting, was awarded the "Meridian" Prize.

At the same time, the President stressed that it is necessary to openly admit: there is still much work ahead to bring national cinematic art to a new level.

The President focused on the opinion that because of the development of social networks, people have stopped going to movie theaters. He noted that foreign films, on the contrary, draw full houses.

"This means that the viewer has not given up on cinema and trips to movie theaters — only their tastes and demands have changed. Do our national films meet these demands? Unfortunately, no!" declared the head of state.

The reason is that a single chain ensuring the entire process — from film production to their promotion to the viewer — has not yet been built in the country.

The President noted that today the opinion of professional film critics is not taken into account sufficiently.

"After all, objective analysis helps the creator to see their own shortcomings and get an opportunity for further growth!" emphasized the head of state.

Problems requiring solutions also persist in the current system of state orders and procurements when funding film projects. Inherited from former times, the "state order" system no longer meets the requirements of the modern film industry.

At the same time, one director was assigned up to six projects, and one author — up to seven. With such a workload, it is difficult to give each work sufficient attention and elaborate it thoroughly. In addition, almost half of the orders were transferred to state film studios, which restricted opportunities for equal competition for private filmmakers.

As a result, instead of creating strong screenplays and high-quality films, the main criterion became the desire to "close" the assignment as quickly as possible. The head of state stressed that the result of creative work should be evaluated by how much the film makes the viewer think deeply and leaves a mark in their soul.

A screenplay can be refined during filming, and creative decisions can change. Therefore, as noted, it is wrong to purchase works of art based on technical specifications, as if we were talking about an ordinary commodity or a construction object.

The head of state stressed that it is precisely through cinema that nations get to know each other. A country capable of worthily presenting its history, culture, and national heroes on the world screens expands its influence and strengthens its voice in the international arena.

Today, cinema is not just an entertainment art, but a tool of "soft power" that enhances the country's international prestige and influence.

Our President raised the question of who and how will protect the minds and worldview of our children if, along with strengthening the army and ensuring security, we do not pay proper attention to this. The answer to this question, first of all, is expected from cinematic art and the filmmakers themselves.

The head of state formulated the expression of the "O‘z" idea he put forward in cinema art as follows: "Aware of our identity, to tell the world our own story with our own voice."

The President of Uzbekistan emphasized that alongside great ancestors, the images of people who live next to us today should also be truthfully reflected on the screen.

The selflessness of teachers, the dedication of doctors, the stamina of athletes, the courage of defenders of the Motherland and soldiers — all this is a rich topic for creating deep and touching films. No less important are the initiative of entrepreneurs, the creative work of builders, the dreams and aspirations of the youth.

"Let our children recognize themselves in such heroes, believe in their own strength, and feel their involvement in the future of their native country!" stated the head of state.

It was emphasized that for this, the state must create decent conditions for filmmakers, provide support, and foster an atmosphere of creative freedom.

The President announced a transition to a new system in which the functions of industry management, financing, and film production will be clearly separated. First of all, a compact and modern management system will be created.

The Cinematography Agency will be abolished, and the powers to implement state policy in the field of cinema will be transferred to the Ministry of Culture.

A Department of Cinema Art will be created within the structure of the ministry. In terms of status, its head will be equal to a deputy minister.

Responsible officials were instructed to ensure within a month the effective organization of the department's work, as well as the abolition of the Cinematography Agency and organizations within its system.

The organizational and economic model of "Uzbekfilm" will be updated. The state institution will be abolished, and instead, a new national film company "Uzbekfilm" will be created, which will operate based on a modern business model.

Our President stressed that the new film company will become a key center and the main operator for creating a national cinema brand and developing a modern film industry.

The national film company "Uzbekfilm" will not be engaged in film production. Their creation will completely move to the private sector. The company will be responsible for the selection and financing of projects, promotion and distribution of films, as well as their entry into international markets and film festivals.

Thus, the entire process — from film production to its release to the viewer — will be united into a single system. It has been instructed to organize the work of the national film company within one week.

The President announced that when financing film production, a support system based on subsidies will be introduced instead of the practice of state orders.

"From now on, the state will not be a customer of films, but a reliable partner of filmmakers and the private sector," stated the head of state.

In film production, priority will be given to the creative process and its needs, rather than technical specifications. It has been instructed to introduce the new financing mechanism within one month.

Starting next year, appropriate funds will be allocated annually from the state budget at the request of the national film company "Uzbekfilm".

The President announced the creation of a modern infrastructure for film production. A single industrial cluster — "Cinema Town 'Uzbekfilm'", uniting various services for the film industry, will be created on the 10-hectare territory of "Uzbekfilm".

A dubbing and sound recording center equipped with modern technologies will be built in the "Cinema Town".

Within two months, with the involvement of a qualified design organization, the master plan of the cinema town and project-estimate documentation will be developed. Construction work will begin in March next year.

It was also instructed to put unused state assets in the cinematography system up for open auctions.

The head of state announced another initiative to support filmmakers. The "Kokhinur" sanatorium, located in the Kuyichirchik district, will be fully placed at their disposal.

Recently, the sanatorium was renovated and equipped in accordance with modern requirements. Conditions for a full rest for film industry workers have been created here.

Our President stressed that this place should become a real creative center where filmmakers can restore their strength and work on new ideas.

In addition, every year at least 300 dedicated film industry workers will receive free vouchers to the republic's sanatoriums for rest and medical treatment.

The President announced the creation of a "Film Critics Club" for the development of scientific research, analytics, and professional film criticism in the industry.

The national film company "Uzbekfilm" will support the club's activities and assist its entry into the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI). This will expand the participation of national films in prestigious international film festivals.

To unite the professional community of the industry, the Association of Cinema Figures of Uzbekistan and the Association of Representatives of the Film Industry of Uzbekistan will be merged. The Chamber of Representatives of the Film Industry of Uzbekistan will be created on their basis.

The Chamber will deal with the development of self-governance in the industry, the protection of copyright and professional interests of filmmakers, as well as facilitating the professional growth of youth.

Financial and organizational support is provided for advanced training of young filmmakers abroad and for the activities of the chamber. It has been instructed to complete the organization of the new chamber's work within one month.

The President stressed the need to bring the national film industry to a new stage of technological development. Within a month, a cooperation program will be developed that provides for the widespread use of artificial intelligence capabilities in film creation.

The program will include the development of new educational courses, training of specialists, and their advanced training abroad.

Then the head of state came up with an initiative to establish the name "Uzbekfilm" as a single brand of national cinema. It was noted that residents of the country have long called this part of Chilanzar "Uzbekfilm".

It was proposed to assign the name "Uzbekfilm" to the corresponding section of the current Chilanzar Street. It was also proposed to rename the Museum of Cinema Art to the "Uzbekfilm" Museum, the Palace of Cinema Art to the "Uzbekfilm" Cinema Theater, and the National Film Fund to the "Uzbekfilm" National Film Fund, uniting them under a single brand.

The head of state expressed confidence that the planned changes will allow bringing the industry to a new level and will contribute to the creation of quality films. He then listened to the opinions of experienced filmmakers and young specialists.

Following the open dialogue, the President announced that key directions for the development of national cinema have been identified, and a decree providing for the outlined transformations has been signed.

The President stressed that the initiatives of creative workers will be supported. At the same time, he noted that favorable conditions alone are not enough to create good cinema: conscientious work, patriotism, and sincere love for one's people are necessary.

"I believe in you. Drawing strength from our national identity and deeply comprehending today's life, together we will be able to create a new page in national cinema," the President declared at the end of the meeting.