Cinema
Makhtumkuli
Alty Karliev · 1968
Synopsis
His studies completed at a madrasa in Khiva, the poet Magtymguly returns to his aul. He teaches the children, composes his verses, loves a young girl, Meňli, and is loved by her. But his appeals for the union of the Turkmen tribes displease Khan Çerkez, whose warriors set the aul on fire; taken prisoner, the poet is offered the post of court poet, which the khan means to impose on him.
Context
The film adapts Kluç Kulyýew's novel about the poet; the director wrote the screenplay with Haýyt Ýakubow, with cinematography by Anatoli Karpoukhine and music by Nury Halmämmedow. Hommat Mullyk plays the poet, Gülcan Döwletmyradowa plays Meňli. Kulyýew, a writer and diplomat, was a corresponding member of the republic's Academy of Sciences. A version of the film dubbed in Turkmen circulates online today.
Who it is for
A biographical film of about an hour and twenty minutes, shot at the Ashgabat studio; it helps to know a little of the poet's life and work.
Prizes and reception
Hailed in May 1969 in the magazine Spoutnik kinozritelia by Raïssa Zoussieva, who saw in it the tragic story of a people rather than a portrait.