Beyond Borders: Unearthing the Wonders of the Tashkent Film Festival

In September 2021, I received an invitation from the Uzbek Government to represent the UK at the Tashkent Film Festival in Uzbekistan, which marked the festival's comeback after a 24-year hiatus. It was an exhilarating yet overwhelming opportunity for me and my fellow travellers, whom I had been asked to select. We found ourselves surrounded by esteemed personalities such as Steven Seagal, Luc Besson, Rob Minkoff, Franco Nero, and Gerard Depardieu, and couldn't help but question why we were there, experiencing a sense of imposter syndrome.

From the moment we arrived at Uzbek Film, it became clear that the Tashkent Film Festival aimed to leave a lasting impression. The bustling media hub was filled with individuals immersed in various tasks, showcasing the grandeur of the festival. Interviews were conducted, profiles were checked, and social media updates were shared. I even caught a glimpse of my own Internet Movie Database file on a monitor, emphasizing the organizers' dedication to staying up-to-date with the participants' backgrounds.

After our time at the media hub, we proceeded to a vast hall where renowned figures from the film industry, such as Franco Nero, Rob Minkoff, and Steven Seagal, addressed the regional press, officially inaugurating the festival. The opulent hall depicted the rich history of Uzbek cinema through captivating images from movies that held great significance for the local population. The afternoon flew by, and we returned to our hotel to prepare for the evening's events. It was during this time that we truly noticed our driver, Babur, for the first time. Despite his limited English, Babur warmly responded to our simple inquiries with thumbs up or concerned expressions, showcasing his pride in his job and the service he provided to his clients. Throughout our stay, he became like a long-lost family member, even treating us to a meal on our sixth day in Tashkent. In return, we embraced him as part of our newfound family.

The first night at the Tashkent Film Festival felt like a surreal dream. The whirlwind of confusion, cultural adjustments, and jet lag made it seem as though we had been transported to the red carpet without fully comprehending how we had arrived there. We were interviewed by multiple reporters in quick succession before encountering the delightful Ali Hamroyev, a seasoned filmmaker who engaged us in discussions about cinema, England, and the wonders of life. Despite his age, Hamroyev possessed the curiosity and enthusiasm of a teenager. His contributions to Uzbek and Russian cinema were legendary, placing him among the ranks of renowned directors like Scorsese, Kubrick, and Friedkin. Like us, he couldn't quite grasp why we were present, not because of our status, but because individuals from the United Kingdom in Uzbekistan were undeniably a rare gem. Our encounter with Aliaskar Fathullin, a documentary filmmaker known as the Uzbekistan equivalent of Michael Apted, further enriched our experience. Fathullin's films truly captured the nation's evolving story.

The night unfolded as a unique experience for a Westerner. The grand opening ceremony surpassed the extravagance of even the Eurovision Song Contest, featuring a succession of performers showcasing diverse cultural dances, songs, and theatrical pieces. Alongside Uzbek traditions, iconic cultural references from international cinema were intermingled, including operatic numbers from films like "The Fifth Element" and the empowering ballad from "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg." As the night progressed, we found ourselves dining at the Hyatt Hotel alongside Minkoff, Nero, Seagal, and several hundred others, further highlighting the unique blend of cultures and experiences.

The Tashkent Film Festival had a distinct perspective, not only focusing on honouring cinema legends from home and abroad but also empowering young and aspiring filmmakers. The festival invited film students from around the world, covering all their expenses, to create a film within just five days. These films were then screened for a judging panel consisting of influential filmmakers, with Timur Bekmambetov, known for directing films like "Night Watch," "Wanted," and "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," leading the panel.

Having attended numerous major festivals worldwide, the Tashkent Film Festival immediately stood out as a formidable challenger, rivaling the world's largest film festivals. It exuded a grandiose atmosphere where glasses were never empty, plates were always full, and hearts remained in a constant state of awe. Each venue and event were meticulously coordinated, surpassing the previous ones in scale and splendour. Each passing day offered a more surreal and out-of-body experience, culminating in an unforgettable final night.

On that momentous evening, instead of being led to a regular door, our car glided down a red carpet, and we emerged into a crowd of international press. We addressed the nation live on Z'or TV, an utterly disorienting experience that left us feeling euphoric and exhilarated, keeping us energized throughout the night and well into the following day.

Beyond the festival itself, our time in Uzbekistan allowed us to appreciate the capital city and the country as a whole. Despite being English-speaking foreigners, we were treated like royalty wherever we went. The warmth and openness of the country's youth were particularly remarkable. They were thrilled to converse in English with genuine Englishmen, sharing their love for their evolving nation. Uzbekistan's rapid transformation instilled a genuine passion in its people, creating a sense of excitement and gratitude for being alive in this remarkable era. Uzbekistan, a country that embraces the world, possesses a film festival in Tashkent that has the potential to become one of the leading cinematic events globally. What better place to enjoy the art of film than in a country so extraordinary that it feels like living in a movie?