Lachin’s first film festival The beginning of a new cultural tradition

From August 24 to 27, the first-ever Lachin International Film Festival (LIFF) was held in one of the most picturesque corners of Azerbaijan — the city of Lachin.

Until quite recently, it was difficult to imagine that filmmakers from dozens of countries would come to Lachin, and that films by directors from various parts of the world — from Ukraine and Russia to Pakistan and India — would be screened at a restored cinema that was burned down shortly after the city was occupied by Armenia in 1992.

Interest in the inaugural festival proved to be quite high, with around 300 films submitted by directors from more than 40 countries. Ultimately, 38 films were selected for the main competition programme — 20 international and 18 Azerbaijani productions. Among the international entries, I would particularly highlight Minahil by Pakistani director Wajahat Malik and the short film Terroist by Norwegian director Meena Rathore. I believe we will hear more about these films at other international film festivals.

Minahil tells the story of a teenage girl who, overcoming numerous obstacles, leads her village hockey team to success. The film is based on a true story. The director sought to convey a simple yet important message: if a person has a goal and the determination to achieve it, almost nothing is impossible.

Terroist, meanwhile, uses just ten minutes of screen time to show, both seriously and with humour, what can result from neighbours' suspicions — sometimes completely absurd and unfounded.

The Azerbaijani programme, which featured 18 films, deserves a special mention. One of the films that stood out in particular was Divarın o üzü (The Other Side of the Wall) by Ramiz Agha Rovshan. It tells the story of a young artist who tries to buy the apartment where he spent his childhood, only to unexpectedly encounter his former neighbour and first love. Their reunion sets off a whole series of amusing situations. The film benefits greatly from the actors’ performances, which make it light-hearted and genuinely entertaining. Still, stories like this are better seen than retold.

Undoubtedly, organising the first international film festival in Lachin within a relatively short period of time was a serious challenge. A key role in its organisation was played by Azerbaijani film director and head of the Hoçazfilm creative studio, as well as Lachin International Film Festival director Amil Amal; Masim Mammadov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Lachin District; the Ministry of Culture and its subordinate Cinema Agency; the Karabakh Revival Fund; the Baku City Service Department; and other institutions.

Through their joint efforts, it was possible to create the conditions for an international event to take place in a city that has only recently returned to peaceful life. This year, the festival coincided with August 26, Lachin City Day. On the one hand, this gave the event additional symbolic significance; on the other, it created an additional organisational burden.

In the future, LIFF has every opportunity to develop into a major international festival. With a longer preparation period, it could expand the geography of participating countries, attract more renowned directors and actors, and establish an international jury featuring respected figures from the global film industry.

Of course, it would be premature to compare the first Lachin Film Festival with Berlin or Venice. But Azerbaijan has every opportunity to turn LIFF into a prominent event not only on the national but also on the international cultural calendar.

Lachin is gradually becoming a venue where cultural life is being restored, major events are being held, and new traditions are taking shape. The first international film festival could become a strong starting point for this process.

By Vugar Vugarli, Lachin, exclusively for Caliber.Az