DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL CINEMATOGRAPHY: TRADITIONS AND INNOVATIONS

ABSTRACT

This article analyzes the formation of national cinema, its historical development stages, and contemporary development processes. Traditional cinematic approaches and the role of national values, customs, historical events, and the means of artistic expression expressed through them are examined. In addition, innovative approaches arising from technological innovations, digital platforms, and adaptation to the global film market in recent years will be explored.

АННОТАЦИЯ

В статье анализируется становление национального кинематографа, исторические этапы его развития и современные процессы развития. Рассматриваются традиционные кинематографические подходы и роль национальных ценностей, обычаев, исторических событий и средств художественного выражения, выраженных через них. Кроме того, будут рассмотрены инновационные подходы, обусловленные технологическими инновациями, цифровыми платформами и адаптацией к мировому кинорынку в последние годы.

Keywords: screen art, director, technique, color image, idea, genre, dramatic styles.

Ключевые слова: экранное искусство, режиссёр, техника, цветовое изображение, идея, жанр, драматургические стили.

The art of cinema is not merely a means of passing time, but an important cultural phenomenon that reflects human thought, worldview, and emotions, while illuminating various social, political, and spiritual processes in society. Its emergence coincided with the end of the 19th century, and although it initially manifested as a simple technical experiment, it quickly transformed into a vast creative field. The journey from the era of initial silent films to modern works created through sound films, color images, and computer graphics demonstrates the continuous development and improvement process of the art of cinema [1]. Modern trends show that the art of cinema has moved to a new stage. Digital technologies, 5D, VR (virtual reality), special effects, online streaming platforms - all this changed the way cinema communicates with the viewer. At the same time, modern films cover complex, psychological, philosophical, and global problems not only in terms of technology, but also in terms of content. Human rights, environmental protection, gender issues, migration, and other topics are widely covered.

Works of cinema art are the product of a team of creative workers, such as writers-playwrights, directors, actors, cinematographers, artists, and composers. The director plays a leading role in the film. Filmmaking involves two aspects - creation and production. The center of film production is the film studio. Finished films are distributed through film distribution and shown in cinemas and on television. Screen art has its own specific expressive means: shooting in general, medium, and close-up, camera movements from different angles, various forms of episode and frame editing, and others [2].

There are 4 main types of cinema: feature film, popular science film, documentary film, and animated film. Of these, a feature film is one of the main types of cinema art, based on a specially written script or revised fiction (documentary or artistic prose, theatrical dramaturgy, and others), the narration of real or fictional events using creative means; scientific-mass cinema introduces viewers to the life of nature and society, scientific discoveries and inventions. Another important type of cinema is animated film. The most common forms are animated and puppet films. Pictures or models drawn by the artist, as well as dolls, are moved and transferred to film. The documentary film captures events and actions. There are genres of cinema such as comedy, historical, dramatic, and adventure films [3].

The first film in Uzbekistan was shown in 1897 on the square "Eski Jova." Since 1908, foreign films have been shown in Tashkent, Samarkand, Kokand, and other cities. Films shown in Central Asia mainly consisted of American and French films depicting Eastern exoticism. Uzbek national cinema art emerged in the 1920s. The first Uzbek cinematographer Khudoybergan Devonov, in his first documentary-chronicle films, strived to reflect the life, traditions, and landscapes of the Uzbek people.

In Uzbek cinema, a new outlook on the demands of the time has been formed among young people, they have moved away from old stereotypes and assumptions, and opportunities for a poetic view of the world have appeared. At the same time, films of educational significance for city boys and girls, who believed that life consisted only of love, joy, dancing in cafes, and dressing beautifully, also entered Uzbek screen art as a new page. This was especially evident in the work of director E. Eshmukhamedov ("Nafosat" (1966), "Sevishganlar" (1969) and others). "Maftuningman" (1958, Y. A'zamov), "Sen yetim emassan," "Qalbingda quyosh," "Toshkent - non shahri" (1960, 1962, 1966, 1967, director Sh. Abbosov), "Sinchalak," "Ulug'bek Yulduzi," "Natashaxonim" (1961, 1965, 1966, director L. Fayziyev).

The first public film screening in the territory of modern Uzbekistan took place in 1897 in Tashkent. Khudoybergan Devonov (1879-1940) is considered the founder of Uzbek cinema. The year 1908 is regarded as the birth year of Uzbek cinema when Devonov photographed and displayed on screen the historical landmarks of Khorezm: minarets, mosques, and other monuments. In 1925, he filmed "The Tower of Death" in collaboration with Bukhkino. That same year, the "Sharq Yulduzi" film studio was established, which was later renamed "Uzbekfilm" in 1958 [4].

In 1972, the "Museum of Cinema of Uzbekistan" was established. In the 1970s-1980s, with the support of R. Rashidov, three major historical series were filmed: "Ulugbek's Treasures" based on the work of Odil Yakubov, the 10-episode video film "Alisher Navoi" based on the novel of Oybek, and "Fiery Roads" based on the 17-episode novel of Kamil Yashin.

A distinctive feature of the modern film process is the formation of a large audience of young people visiting cinemas where Uzbek films are shown. By this stage, several films began participating in film festivals: "Yol bo'lsin" (2006, director Tamara Kamalova), "Vatan," "Chashma" (Source), "Yurt," "Osmondagi yigitlar," "Xotira," "Soğinch sohili," among others.

The signing of a decree by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in April 2021 "On Measures to Elevate Film Art and the Film Industry to a Qualitatively New Level and Further Improve the System of State Support for the Sector" paved the way for initiating reforms. In accordance with the decree, the National Agency "Uzbekkino" was renamed the Cinematography Agency of Uzbekistan. The House of Cinematographers, which includes a summer cinema on its grounds, was reconstructed. Additionally, the annual Tashkent International Film Festival "Pearl of the Silk Road" was established as a successor to the International Film Festival of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. After a 24-year hiatus, this festival was held for the first time in autumn 2021 at the reconstructed House of Cinematographers in Tashkent.

In 2021, the first foreign branch of BDKI opened in Tashkent. Together with Timur Bekmambetov, a school-studio of animated films was opened in Tashkent, whose students are participating in the production of the animated film "Khoja Nasriddin." In the autumn of 2022, the largest DCP screen in the CIS was installed at the House of Cinematographers, and the presentation of the newest panoramic pavilion of the Uzbekfilm film concern took place. A historical film about Bahadur Yalangtush was filmed there. Over the past four years, several high-quality films have been shot in Uzbekistan simultaneously, which have been nominated for international awards. Yolkin Tuychiev's film "Farida's 2000 Song" (2019) won the Grand Prix of the Moscow Premiere Film Festival of the Commonwealth Countries. This film was also nominated for the 93rd Academy Awards, and this film was also nominated for the Golden Globe Award. Dilmurod Mirsaidov's "Woman's Fate" (2021) won the Grand Prix at the Turkic World Korkut Ata Film Festival in Turkey. Ali Khamraev’s "The Freshness of Melons in Samarkand" (2021) became a laureate of the V FELIX Film Festival in Milan in 2022. Yolkin Tuychiev's film "Transformation" (2022) was recognized as the best in the nomination for the Kim Jiseok Prize at the XXVII International Film Festival in Busan, South Korea.

In conclusion, cinema is a creative bridge between the past and the present. It preserves history, reflects the present, and encourages thinking about the future. Cinema not only delights the viewer with entertaining works, but also encourages them to think, feel, know, and understand. Therefore, the significance of cinema is incomparable not only in cultural, but also in social and spiritual terms. It plays an important role in the development of man and society and will not lose its influence in the future.

References:

1. Mirziyoyev Sh. New Uzbekistan Strategy. - Tashkent: Uzbekistan. 2021, 464 p.
2. Heidegger M. Time of the Worldview (1938, 1950) // Heidegger M. The Origins of Artistic Creation. Selected works of different years. Moscow: Academic Project, 2008. - P. 274.
3. Teshaboev J. "Uzbek Cinema: Research and Beliefs" (1984).
4. Abulkosimova Kh., Teshaboev Zh., Mirzamukhamedova M. "Uzbek Cinema" (1985).