Scandal around the film about Mehseti Ganjavi: who is allowed to interpret the classics?

Abulphas Garayev's daughter made a film at her own expense. It has nothing to do with either the Film Agency (ARKA) or the film studio.

As reported by BAKU.WS, this was stated to Oxu.Az by People's Artist Sheikh Abdul Mahmudov, commenting on the short film "Mehseti" about poetess Mehseti Ganjavi, made by Suad Garayeva, daughter of the former Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Abulphas Garayev.

Scandal around the film about Mehseti Ganjavi: who is allowed to interpret the classics?

He noted that after completing work on the film, the director tried to organize a screening through ARKA, but this proved impossible.

"Council members unanimously refused to accept the film for screening. Now many people are baselessly discussing Mehseti Ganjavi. She is accused because of rubai - this is a big mistake. I want to ask: who gave the director the authority to present Azerbaijan's national and spiritual history in such a ridiculous light through the lens of her limited thinking? Who gave her such a right? Where did she get this permission?

You know, there are sacred values and standards that should not be touched. Those who want to make a film about Mehseti should first understand the lines she wrote, the subtext of these lines, their poetic spirit and figurative expressions. They should not take on topics in which they are incompetent.

In general, I believe that people who wish to work with classical themes should be under official state control, and the project should be approved before implementation begins. It is necessary to receive feedback from the Institute of Literature, the Institute of History, and representatives of the intelligentsia. Such an approach to history and literature is incorrect," said Sheikh Abdul.

Scandal around the film about Mehseti Ganjavi: who is allowed to interpret the classics?

Recall that the ban by the Art Council under the Ministry of Culture on the screening of the short film "Mehseti" at the Baku Film Festival has sparked wide discussions in society.