The documentary film 'Man of the Era,' dedicated to Sharaf Rashidov and his role in the history of Uzbekistan, is preparing for a television premiere following a private screening held on July 22 in Tashkent.
The documentary film 'Man of the Era,' dedicated to Sharaf Rashidov and his role in the history of Uzbekistan, is preparing for a television premiere following a private screening held on July 22 in Tashkent.
Documentary cinema is valued because it does not provide ready-made conclusions but offers viewers archival materials and eyewitness testimonies, allowing them to analyze the events themselves. The film 'Man of the Era' by BWG Production / 7SABER, directed by Ruslan Saliev, adheres to this approach.
The film will air on August 1 at 18:00 on the ZO’R TV channel, broadcast simultaneously in Uzbek and Russian. Despite more than forty years having passed since Sharaf Rashidov's death, interest in this figure remains: some see him as a leader who implemented large-scale transformations of the republic, while others view him as a politician associated with a controversial period of late Soviet history.
The creators of the film deliberately avoid imposing a pre-formed assessment of the hero. The basis of the narrative consists of film chronicles, archival documents, opinions of researchers, and memories of contemporaries. The authors touch upon a wide range of topics, including the reconstruction of Tashkent after the 1966 earthquake, the creation of the first metro in Central Asia, the development of industry and science, as well as the problems of the Aral Sea, events in Afghanistan, and the consequences of the 'cotton affair.' The film's goal is to demonstrate the complexity of the era, not to justify or condemn its protagonist.
Work on the project took six years. During this time, the team studied archival materials and film chronicles, and met with Sharaf Rashidov's relatives, historians, and direct participants in the events. Ruslan Saliev, director and screenwriter, noted that the goal was to show the era in all its complexity, including both significant achievements and difficult trials, emphasizing that history is always more complex than any simplified account.
Various interviewees participated in the film, including Sharaf Rashidov's daughter Gulnara Rashidova, granddaughter Sevar Rashidova, Academician Sadulla Iskandarov, Professor of Russian and Eastern European History at the University of Naples L’Orientale Riccardo Mario Cucchiola, historical writers Fedor Razzakov and Ismat Kuchiev, advisor to the Russian Foreign Ministry Andrey Vavilov, film director Ali Khamraev, cosmonaut Vladimir Janibekov, Merited Architect of Uzbekistan Sergo Sutyagin, Minister of Irrigation and Water Management of Uzbekistan Rim Ginayatullin, as well as memories of Nikolai Ryzhkov were included.
In addition, Ruslan Saliev thanked partners 7SABER, Otabek Umarov, and the Sharaf Rashidov Foundation for their support. Sherzod Umarov served as General Producer, Kyamran Tuychiev wrote the music, and Sarvar Sobirov and the United Soft team were responsible for the visual design. It should be noted that Sergo Sutyagin and Rim Ginayatullin passed away during the preparation of the film, and their interviews gained special historical significance.
Film scholar Eldar Yuldashev, Academician of the Istanbul Film Academy, acknowledged that Ruslan Saliev consistently develops modern Uzbek documentary filmmaking. Yuldashev specifically highlighted the episode dedicated to the Cuban Missile Crisis as an opportunity for a new perspective on Sharaf Rashidov's personality.
'Man of the Era' does not aim to provide a final answer or conclude the discussion about Sharaf Rashidov, but rather encourages the audience to return to important pages of Uzbekistan's history using documentary evidence and historical context.
The theatre scene in Joburg offers diverse productions, including solo dramas, political satire, and family fantasies.
Acclaimed actress Jessica Haynes, previously known for working with John Malkovich in the film 'Disgrace', has returned to the stage with her solo performance 'Once Upon a Teacup'. This 70-minute production, which received high praise at last year's Hilton Arts Festival, is written and performed by Haynes herself, with direction by James Cunningham.
The plot centers on a young girl named Violet who grows up in Africa and contemplates the complexities of the modern world through the lens of her childhood imagination. Haynes explains that the play begins on a farm in KZN and explores the power of imagination and how it is influenced by pop culture, social media, and the pressure of growing up.
The actress notes that Violet's mental health deteriorates, leading her into a dark and unpredictable state, but she is then saved by the idea of home and childhood memories. She hopes the story will awaken in everyone the ability to play, create, and fully immerse themselves in the world of imagination, which is often blurred by the speed of adult life. The show runs at the Theatre on the Square in Sandton until August 2nd at 7:30 PM.
The production 'Woza Albert!', created by Mbongeni Ngema, Percy Mtwa, and Barney Simon, was first staged in this same venue in 1981. It is a blend of sharp satire and frightening truth, exploring the hypothetical return of Moren in racist and oppressive apartheid South Africa.
As part of the theatre's 50th anniversary celebration, this iconic production returns to the Market Theatre for a limited two-week period. Tulanie Mtsveni and Hamilton Dlamini, who also serves as director, participate in it. The actors skillfully switch between characters to convey the daily lives of Black people under apartheid.
Artistic Director Greg Homann emphasized that 'Woza Albert!' is an integral part of The Market Theatre's DNA, as it was created here in the early years of the theatre and is considered one of the foundational works that shaped both the scene and the history of South Africa over the past five decades. The return of this work serves as a reminder of the nation's origins and how it continues to evolve. The production is available at Barney Simon, Market Theatre, until August 2nd at 7:00 PM.
The family show 'Aladdin' is designed for the enjoyment of young audiences. It tells the story of the chaos caused by Aladdin's eccentric mother, Twanky, and his thief brother. Aladdin's life improves after he finds a mysterious lamp from which a luxurious genie emerges.
Aladdin embarks on an exciting adventure with an indispensable new friend who helps him fulfill three wishes. Simultaneously, he tries to win the princess's heart while thwarting the schemes of an evil sorcerer. This production takes place at DRAMA at SA State Theatre in Pretoria and runs until August 9th; showtimes vary.
A woman who was forced to urgently leave her home in Elsida, Castellón province in Spain, affected by the flames, managed to evacuate her dog, but had to leave her cat due to the lack of a carrier. A meeting between them took place two days later.
Julia Mari recounted that they were unexpectedly evacuated from Elsida. She only managed to take the dog, leaving the cat behind because she did not have a carrier. She described this moment as terrible and felt helpless, but could do nothing. Julia Mari left food and water for the cat, although she did not know if smoke could penetrate the house.
To try and save the cat Misha, the woman contacted the association RASE Resgate Animal. Volunteers from this organization went to the scene 'with their own vehicles, near the fire.' Julia emphasized that the volunteers risked their lives to save her cat, calling it 'chilling.' She stated that both the cat and the dog are part of her family.
This Thursday, one of the organization's volunteers organized a meeting between Misha and Julia at the Onda sports center, where dozens of displaced people and some rescued animals are located. Representatives of the association reported on social media that everything happened in mere minutes during the evacuation from Elsida. This family managed to leave with their dog, but due to the lack of a carrier and the urgency of the moment, Misha had to be left at home. They were repeatedly asked to come and pick her up. After coordinating with emergency services and receiving permission from the Guardia Civil, they were able to safely enter, rescue Misha, and bring her out.
The organization also noted that such stories remind everyone that in an emergency, animals are also members of the family and deserve trained rescue teams. Julia thanked the Guardia Civil and other emergency response services for the coordination that allowed for this happy ending. It should be noted that the forest fire in the vicinity of Val d'Uixo and Serra de Espadán, in Castellón province, continues to be under control. Despite teams managing to consolidate part of the perimeter at night, the situation remains difficult, according to Telecinco. High temperatures and a heatwave complicate the work. Currently, all efforts are focused especially on the western flank, between Alfangellia and Alcudia de Veo, where the most problematic areas persist. Although some residents have already returned home, about 10,000 people remain displaced as a precaution. Many families left their homes just minutes before, managing to take only the essentials.
Electa/Rizzoli released the English version of the book Nature & Architecture: The Vision of Ambasz. This work represents a significant critical study conducted by Professor Fulvio Irace, focusing on the architectural production of Emilio Ambasz.
