Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- During the final meeting of the joint commission of the Cinematography Agency of Uzbekistan and Tajikfilm on the creation of the historical film Jami and Navoi, specialists from the two countries approved the concept of the film.

The presentation was attended by Director General of the Cinematography Agency Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to Uzbekistan Abdujabbor Rahmonzoda, Director of Tajikfilm State Institution Mahmasaid Shokhiyon, as well as scientists and filmmakers of the two countries.

The extended synopsis of the historical feature film, prepared by filmmakers and scientists of the two countries, was discussed in detail. As you know, the project to create a joint film was initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his visit to the Republic of Tajikistan on 10-11 June 2021 and supported by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Imomali Rahmon.

“Today, we are all participants in the creation of an artistic and historical film about friendship between the great thinkers, poets and philosophers of the peoples of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - Jami and Navoi,” said Abdujabbor Rahmonzoda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to Uzbekistan.

Specialists from the Cinematography Agency, Tajikfilm, the Unions of Cinematographers of the two countries, the Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Culture, art institutes, and oriental scholars were involved in the preparation of the scenario plan.

- This unique project can be called a vivid example of the policy of good neighborliness and openness pursued by New Uzbekistan. Today we carry out many creative meetings and discussions, disputes and searches. This project restores the lost bridges between the filmmakers of the two countries and brings us closer,” said Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director General of the Film Agency of Uzbekistan. – An extensive historical and factual material has been collected, a huge number of sources about the era of great thinkers and poets of the Eastern Renaissance period, which the whole world admires today, have been studied. In total, since the signing of the memorandum in October last year, more than 15 meetings of the working group have taken place. The main idea of the film lies in the unchanging and wise message: "Where there is peace and enlightenment, progress and prosperity will certainly come."

- They worked together, one was a mentor, the second - his student. It’s time to demonstrate the legacy of outstanding ancestors at the proper level. These enlightening ideas must be carried to the people, it is not enough to propagate them only in scientific circles. In this sense, the scriptwriters of the film sought to write a synopsis based on the latest scientific information with the support of our colleagues, scientists from two countries, - said Doctor of Philosophy, Professor, Leading Researcher at the Center for the Study of Foreign Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Navoi scholar Aftondil Erkinov.

A number of meetings were held within the walls of the Cinematography Agency of Uzbekistan, numerous zoom talks and partner visits to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

– The ideas of friendship and enlightenment that they promoted are relevant at all times. I really hope that we will be able to convey this idea of enlightenment in the film. This film should have a universal significance, - said Shodimuhammad Sufizoda, Doctor of Philology, director of the library of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan.

As director of "Tajikfilm" Mahmadsaid Shohien noted, the filmmakers of the two countries are working hard to create a feature film. “In this film, we have to recreate the atmosphere of friendship and sincerity, mutual understanding and cooperation, to show the world as it was in the days of Jami and Navoi. Today, the role and importance of cinema is increasing in the issue of rapprochement of peoples and cultures, promotion of the ideas of peace, friendship and humanism.

The creation of this film will serve to strengthen fruitful cooperation between our countries in all areas, including in the field of culture and cinema.

“Today, thanks to the Presidents of our countries, our age-old ties are being revived,” said Matyakub Matchanov, chairman of the Union of Cinematographers, at the meeting. “We have been looking forward to this day. This project will give a big impetus to the formation and development of young filmmakers in our countries. This project is already known in many Muslim countries - the world is waiting for this film.

Film director of the Uzbek side Furkat Usmanov noted that the Director General of the Cinematography Agency F. Abdukhalikov had held talks with the famous actor Luc Besson as part of the Tashkent Film Festival.

“At a recent zoom conference, Luc Besson said that he wants to work with young directors from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, stressing that he is inspired by the enthusiasm of young Uzbek filmmakers. According to the agreements, we will work together on the script, and he will act as a project consultant and is looking forward to the script of the film,” Usmanov said.