Baku: Today is National Cinema Day in Azerbaijan, APA reports. On this occasion, director Ruslan Mollayev has unveiled the official trailer of his latest documentary film, “Crystal,” filmed on the shores of the Arabian Sea in Ahmedabad and Kerala, India. The film is set in a non-fiction, documentary-poetic style, exploring the profound connection between art and life, and examining the transformative power of art in understanding life events with clarity.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, India, considered a cradle of world civilization, provides an ideal backdrop for the film’s philosophical themes. “Crystal” delves into the director’s introspective journey, using ‘symbols’ as significant narrative elements to convey the idea that life is composed of signs. The film suggests that nature’s elements – air, water, fire, earth – possess their own language, which can be understood through careful observation.
During the film’s creation, an interesting discovery was made at one of India’s leading architecture and design universities. Handwritten notes about the renowned Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi were found by researcher Afaq Yusifli. This find reminded Mollayev of Nizami’s “Seven Beauties” poem, which tells the story of an Indian princess urging the protagonist to transcend materialism in pursuit of spiritual purity.
“Crystal” was shot during the Alphavirami Film Festival in India, supported by the Azerbaijan Union of Cinematographers. Ruslan Mollayev took on the roles of director, cinematographer, and editor, while Afaq Yusifli served as producer. The film is currently in the post-production phase.
It is noteworthy that Ruslan Mollayev is also known for several acclaimed Azerbaijani films, including “Brother of the White,” “Sweet Tea,” “Ships Meet on the Shore,” “The Victory of the Word,” “Rhythm of Victory,” “Angels of Hell,” “Krishna Temple,” “Hero Muxtar Qasimli,” “The History of One Press Conference,” “Insight,” and others.