RAISING DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL CINEMATOGRAPHY TO A NEW LEVEL IS THE IMPERATIVE OF TIME

On December 29, a meeting devoted to the analysis of the ongoing activities on development of the national cinematography and film industry, addressing problems in the sphere was held under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister, heads of relevant ministries and departments, “Uzbekkino” National Agency and its creative organizations, representatives of cinematography.

Today, when the battle of ideas and ideologies for the consciousness and world outlook of people, especially youth is growing all over the world, we must more effectively use the enormous opportunities of the most mass form of art – cinema, said the Head of our state.

Priority tasks of modernization of all spheres of life of our society, defined in the Action Strategy on further development of Uzbekistan, also require the improvement of cinematography, creation of new opportunities for this. The resolution of the President of our country “On measures of further development of the national cinematography” of August 7, 2017, adopted for this purpose, serves as an important legal basis for the progressive development of art and cinema industry, strengthening the material and technical base of the sphere, training highly qualified personnel.

At the meeting it was noted that filmmakers, using their opportunities effectively, should direct all their strengths and creative energy to the execution of the most important task – making films about the ancient history of our people, feats of great ancestors, selfless labor of contemporaries, embodying their bright images on the screen and in general – promoting the upbringing of the younger generation in the spirit of ideas of independence.

The President of our country, speaking about the relevant tasks facing the sphere, emphasized the need for intensifying and systemic organization of activities on strengthening the material and technical base of cinematography, improving the qualification of young filmmakers, actors, operators and artists at leading film studios of the world, in higher education institutions in direction of culture and art.

There are colleges of culture and art in the regions of the country, Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture in the capital, its branches in Nukus and Kokand, said the Head of our state. The scientific and creative level, curricula and methods of these educational institutions, preparing scenarists and directors, operators and actors, should be brought in line with the requirements of the time.

At the meeting, special attention was paid to ensuring the competitiveness of the national cinematography and film industry in the world, training professional filmmakers, screenwriters, actors, artists and operators.

One more important issue – construction of new and reconstruction of existing cinemas in the regions was thoroughly discussed. There were 342 winter and summer cinemas in the country before 1996, 323 of which were privatized over the past years. Most of them are turned into shopping malls, halls for holding family celebrations, some are even demolished. Today, 8 out of 176 cinemas with different forms of ownership are in emergency condition, 65 require major repairs, almost half of the rest are not working.

These problems must be resolved for the development of cinematography in Uzbekistan at the modern level, said the Head of our state.

Persons responsible for this direction were given specific instructions on organization of permanent activity of cinemas in the regions and districts.

Film distribution system was criticized, the unsatisfactory activity of which limits the opportunities showing the created films, increasing the scope of cinema services rendered to the population.

The growing number of private film studios is a positive aspect. At the same time, it was noted that without professional knowledge, appropriate education, continuity of traditions of cinematography, it is impossible to create bright, talented films, to achieve the expected results.

Participation of private studios in competitions for state grants will create healthy creative competition, said the Head of our state. Where there is competition, there will definitely be progress. This is very important for the development of the national cinematography.

In the Year of supporting active entrepreneurship, innovative ideas and technologies, as in all spheres, special attention should be paid to the innovative development of the national film industry.

We must create a separate system for a broad international presentation, bringing to the foreign public our best works of literature, music and fine arts, performances, feature films based on national and universal values, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev. It is necessary to develop measures for translating these works into foreign languages, promoting them widely, ensuring active participation in international festivals, exhibitions and competitions.

At the meeting, heads of relevant organizations were given appropriate instructions on eliminating the existing deficiencies and problems in the sphere. In particular, the need for ensuring implementation of the adopted resolutions on development of cinematography, strengthening relations with foreign film studios and filmmakers, including for the purpose of co-production of films, was noted.

If we want to glorify our people and native Uzbekistan all over the world, this must be done first of all with the help of cinematography. We must direct all our strengths, use opportunities and creativity for achieving this goal, said the Head of our state.

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