Film about eminent architects premiered in Baku [PHOTO]

December 6, 2021 15:59 (UTC + 04: 00)

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By Laman Ismayilova

Shamil Aliyev’s documentary “Creators” premiered at the Nizami Cinema Center.

The film chronicles the life and work of renowned architects Mikail Useynov (1905-1992) and Sadig Dadashev (1905-1946).

The documentary was produced by order of the Ministry of Culture and Salname Film Studio in 2020.

Although the film has already won awards at international film festivals in Italy, India, Japan, USA, Great Britain, it premiered in Baku.

The author of the idea is the chairman of the board of the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan, the honored architect Elbay Gasimzade.

Rufat Suleymanov (director of photography), artistic director Lala Huseynzade Azer Asgarov (composer) and Nazim Huseynov (producer) took part in the filming.

Design of the Nizami Cinema Center building

In his speech, he stressed the importance of the presentation of the film in the building designed by Mikail Useynov and Sadig Dadashev.

The design of the building was presented by the two architects in 1934.

The film’s first screening took place at the Nizami Cinema Center on December 25, 1939. The cinema was opened to the public on February 1, 1940.

The opening of the cinema has become a shining event in the cultural life of Baku. For the first time in the capital, such a comfortable and beautiful cinema appeared, which embodied the unity of the architectural and town-planning concept in the form of classicism, with the features of ancient Greek architecture and Renaissance architecture. .

Connected by the unity of the architectural and urban concept, the cinema and the administrative building opposite (the project was developed by architects in 1935) formed a link between April 28 (today May 28) and the Kirov Avenue (now Bulbul Avenue), significantly influencing the further development of this part of the city.

Formation of Azerbaijani architecture

Mikail Useynov and Sadig Dadashev were the same age, studied together at school and university. They were one of the first graduates of the Faculty of Architecture of the Azerbaijan Polytechnic Institute. They were even linked by family ties – Useynov’s sister was married to Dadashev.

As students, they received the first prize for the joint project of the monument to Nizami Ganjavi (1926). Among their best architectural works are the buildings of the Azerbaijani Central Committee of the Communist Party, the Azerbaijan Conservatory, the Museum of Azerbaijani Literature and other buildings in Baku.

The joint work of outstanding architects reflected the formation and development of Azerbaijani architecture.

The film also tells about how communist ideology affected their creativity and Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage in the 20th century.

Mikail Useynov’s father was a millionaire, who owned steamboats in the Caspian Sea, a huge mansion and more than 70 real estate objects.

At any time, he could be stopped. Fearing for the fate of those close to him, Mikail Useynov never married.

“During the repressions of 1937, the overwhelming majority of the intelligentsia, including those close to Mikail Useynov and Sadig Dadashev, spent part of their life in fear and moral suffering. After the great leader Heydar Aliyev started ruling Azerbaijan, he began to protect our intelligentsia. repression, he has always treated cultural and artistic workers with special care and attention, ”said Shamil Aliyev.

Elbay Gasimzade underlined that the national leader Heydar Aliyev awarded Mikail Useynov the title of “Hero of socialist labor”. Thus, Mikail Useynov became the only architect in the USSR to receive this title.

His most famous projects include the buildings of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Library of Azerbaijan, the educational building of the Institute of Petroleum and Chemistry, the Moscow hotel, the central post office, etc.

Screenwriter Natig Rasulzadeh underlined the artistic value of the film for the history and study of the architectural heritage of the country.

The film’s premiere was greeted with a standing ovation from the audience.

In conclusion, the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan awarded the film crew with commemorative diplomas.

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